Siblings, Muyanja salvage Uganda’s pride in Open

But there was something worth celebrating for the locals after Ugandan Duncan Mugabe (pictured) partnered with his brother Daniel Ruyange to secure a hard-earned three sets victory

The return of the Castle Lite Uganda Tennis Open to Kampala Club for the first time in eight years didn’t bring much luck to the hosts as the singles titles went to foreigners.

But there was something worth celebrating for the locals after Ugandan Duncan Mugabe (pictured) partnered with his brother Daniel Ruyange to secure a hard-earned three sets victory over Rwandans Olivier Nkunda and Dieudonne Habiyambere in the men’s doubles final.

The Ugandans toiled before winning the first set on a tie break 7-6 (6) but lost the second 6-4. They then put up a stellar fight to win another tie break 7-6 (4) in the deciding set. “This is a good consolation prize for Ugandans. We gave it our all,” said Ruyange.

In the mixed doubles, singles quarterfinalist Henry Muyanja made a perfect pairing with lady singles winner Fadzai Mawesire of Zimbabwe to oust the Kenyan pair of Ibrahim Yego Kibet and Joie Keter 6-2, 6-1. “I am happy with this title and my progress as a player throughout the week. I beat Kibet in the first round and now I have toppled him,” said Muyanja. Jean Claude Gasigwa, who defeated Mugabe in the semifinals, took the men’s singles title after humbling fellow Rwandan Habiyambere 6-4, 6-1. Legend John Oduke took the veteran singles title.