With 36 years of golfing experience, Steven Katwiremu knows the game demands composure, patience, and trust in one’s swing.
On Friday August 22, the defending champion begins his title defense at the Johnnie Walker Seniors Uganda Open at Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club, confident but cautious as he takes on the challenging par-71 course.
Katwiremu, one of Uganda’s most respected senior golfers, is keeping his approach simple: stick to what works.
“My plan is to tee off and play the course as it lies,” he said on Thursday. “I’ll play my normal game and see what happens.”
The Lugazi Hills course, hosting the Uganda Open for the first time, is no walk in the park. With its steep slopes, deep valleys, and tricky greens, it’s among the toughest tracks in the country. But Katwiremu remains unfazed.
“We’re all playing the same course,” he said with a smile. “I’ll just focus on my game and see where I stand at the end.”
Katwiremu tees off at 11:50 a.m. in a star-studded group alongside Uganda Seniors Golfers Association chairman David Balaka and Sam Onek. He faces stiff competition from 39 senior golfers, all chasing glory at Lugazi Hills.
The day’s final group tees off at midday, featuring former Uganda Golf Union president George Egaddu, Robert Lim Lim, and Charles Katarikawe.
The opening trio at 10 am. includes left-hander William Mutyaba, Michael Cleave, and Charles Kagombe.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Edrae Kagombe faces strong competition from Monica Ntege, Katy Kabenge, and Rose Azuba, promising another exciting contest.
This Seniors’ tournament opens the 2025 Uganda Open, with Lugazi Hills hosting the prestigious event for the first time since its transformation from the former Mehta Golf Club.
The action will continue in the coming weeks with the Ladies Open, Amateurs Open, and Professionals Open.
For Katwiremu, the focus is clear, block out distractions, embrace the course, and trust his experience.
“Golf is about patience,” he said. “I’ll focus on every shot and let the game take care of itself.”
If he sticks to his plan, Katwiremu could cement his name in Uganda’s golfing history with back-to-back titles.
