Golfers fundraise Shs40m for Tunaweza, Kolin Construction wins
Dr Zaramba (R) hands over the winner’s trophy to Kolin Construction captain Bagalana (2nd L). Mwanja (3rd R), Ashaba (2nd R), Tumusiime and Kiyemba (L) look on. PHOTO BY JB SSENKUBUGE
What you need to know:
Tunaweza centre provides therapy, specialized education and day programmes for challenged youngsters.
KITANTE- Tunaweza is a Swahili word that can loosely be translated as ‘we can’ and the members of Uganda Golf Club (UGC) literally took it a little bit too far by proving that they can give selflessly.
The golfers turned up in droves - 38 teams and paid Shs20.3m as green fees to compete in the Tunaweza Charity Golf Tournament at the par-72 Kitante course on Friday.
And after Tunaweza Children’s Centre board chairman Dr Sam Zaramba, a former captain at UGC, made a plea during the awards ceremony that the intended target was Shs40m, the golfers ungrudgingly dug deeper into their pockets and forked out an extra Shs12m and $3,500 (an estimated Shs8.8m) for a grand total of Shs40.8m.
Led by witty auctioneer Amos Nzeyi, who paid in an excess of Shs2m, golfers from different walks of life particularly MSL Logistics’ Edward Kabuchu (at least Shs2.5m), Dr Kotecha family and Ruparelia Group (each $1,000)’s generosity left the Tunaweza Board of Directors humbled.
“It is hard for sponsors to pat with their cash easily like this these days but we are grateful with the love we have been shown,” said board member Podi Kassami.
The day also offered an insight into the future of Ugandan golf after Team Kolin Construction comprising of national team hopefuls carded 109 stableford points to defeat MSL Logistics (101) by eight points.
Morris Ashaba (h/c 11) with 38 points, 18-handicapper Michael Tumusiime (36), Becca Mwanja, playing off four with 35 points, Hassan Kiyemba (35) and non-playing captain Abbey Bagalana were the architects behind the win attained by Bruhan Nassur-sponsored team.
