Over eighty (80) golfers, affiliated to Entebbe Golf Club, are headed to Kigali for the second cross-border leg of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series, slated for Kigali Golf Club- in Rwanda, this Saturday, November 8.
This will be the second cross-border event of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series, after last year’s inaugural edition, held at Limuru Country Club in Kenya.
Dubbed ‘The Virunga Challenge,’ the competition’s theme playfully revolves around the question of who owns the home of the silverback- the Virunga Massif, which spans both Rwanda and Uganda, and is famous for its high concentration of mountain gorillas.
The Katogo Golf Fraternity is expected to field a large team for the Kigali outing. For the Limuru event last year, dubbed the ‘Migingo Skirmishes’, over 60 Ugandan players participated, with total participation exceeding 200 players.
This year’s Ugandan contingent has seen over eighty golfers register to participate in ‘The Virunga Challenge.’
As the Ugandan contingent heads to Kigali Golf Club, the home of 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Golf Open champion Celestine Nsanzuwera, Katogo Captain- Elly Mukasa expressed his delight for the growth of the fraternity, and said he expects the Ugandan team to perform better in the City of a Thousand Hills.
“Last year’s cross-border event in Limuru really opened doors for us and positioned the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series as one of the biggest golf series in Uganda, and now the region. We thank our partners, led by the title sponsor I&M Bank, for enabling us to reach such heights.
We thank our travel partner- Rwanda Air, for making it very affordable and convenient for the Uganda team to travel for this trip. I believe the Ugandan team will put up a good show. But beyond competition, cross-border sports tournaments promote regional integration, and present new opportunities for the golfing fraternity,” Mukasa said.
Annette Nakiyaga, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank, stated that the growth of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series continues to reflect the bank’s commitment to innovation and excellence in regards to sports partnerships.
“The I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series is one of the few golf tournaments in Uganda that has managed to extend its footprint beyond the country’s borders, and that’s truly remarkable progress. It’s a reflection of how far the series has come and the passion of the golfers who make it what it is. We believe the best is yet to come.”
“We are looking forward to the Kigali leg this Saturday. It promises to be a unique and exciting experience for both our golfers and partners. I believe it will strengthen the camaraderie between the Ugandan and Rwandan golf communities, as well as showcase I&M Bank’s regional presence and commitment to connecting people through sport,” she said.
The competition details including format of play will be shared by the host club prior to tee off.
The I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series is sponsored by Johnnie Walker, Victoria Motors, GA Insurance Rwanda Air, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kampala Serena Hotel, Fenon Events, Goldman’s Luxury, NBS Sport, Case Hospital, and Time Cop Security.
