Nakalembe set to attempt hat-trick at Entebbe Open

Lady captain Entebbe club Joviah Tugume, ULGU president Maxi Byenkya, Britam’s Alan Mafabi and Castle Lite’s Julian Sentamu at the launch. PHOTO BY JB SSENKUBUGE

What you need to know:

  • The tournament has received a financial shot in the arm of Shs40m from Castle Lite.

Kampala. When Irene Nakalembe edged friendly foe Eva Magala by two strokes, she went on to become the first lady to defend the Entebbe Ladies Open title last year.
Previous winners Monica Ntege, Tanzanian Iddi Madina, Flavia Namakula and Jasper Kamukama had all failed to do that. Even if time has flown since, Nakalembe has held her forte.
She will seek more history when the seventh edition of the Castle Lite and Britam-sponsored event tees off at the par-71 course in Entebbe this morning. Nakalembe is aiming for a hat-trick.
“Ooh yes, I want to,” Nakalembe, pursuing a hat-trick told Daily Monitor yesterday.

Despite Entebbe being her home club, Nakalembe has not had enough time to practise compared to last year where she trained with Gloria Mbaguta and Magala ahead of the All-Africa Challenge Championship.
“Lately, I have actually been caught up with work but will do my best,” she said. Nonetheless, the mother of two has had two practice rounds. “I was trying to find my swing and the greens looked perfect.”

Targeting 77
“I want to play 77 and below. That will give me a prize, but above that, it will be tricky.” the handicap 5 player added.
Nakalembe will be up against 59 other ladies in the 200-man field for the two-round competition. Magala, Mbaguta and Harriet Kitaka are the usual suspects to challenge Nakalembe as well as Kenyan Naome Joseph (h/c 3) and Tanzanian Victoria Elias of Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (h/c 8).
The tournament has received a financial shot in the arm of Shs40m from Castle Lite. “We are better organized with bigger prizes set to boost competition,” Castle Lite brand manager Julian Sentamu said at the tournament launch yesterday.
Britam Insurance are also partners.

“Our first involvement in Ugandan golf was with last year’s edition. We are delighted to be back and pledge our continued support,” said Britam’s Head of Sales Edgar Muzahura.