A new chapter in Ugandan golf is set to unfold this July when the final leg of the 2025 Pearl of Africa (POA) Golf Series tees off at the scenic Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club.
What began as a new addition to the national golfing calendar has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone event, and all signs point to a thrilling conclusion at one of the country’s most promising courses.
Nestled in the rolling sugar plantations of Mehta, the par-71 Lugazi Hills course will not only host the final leg of the POA Series but also serve as the battleground for the prestigious Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open just weeks later.
It will be the first time the national Open Uganda’s most coveted golf title is staged at Lugazi Hills, raising both the stakes and the excitement.
“The POA tournament will help us understand what we must do together with all the stakeholders in delivering a historic Ugandan Open,” said Uganda Golf Union President, Dr. Jackson Were.
“It is for this reason that I call upon all golfers, amateur and pro, to register and play in POA because there will be no better chance for one to test himself or herself.”
Already, the 2025 POA Series has delivered unforgettable moments. At the Uganda Golf Club, amateur John Musiimenta and professional Marvin Kibirige stood tall with inspired performances.
Over in Entebbe, experience triumphed as 50-year-old Michael Tumusiime captured the amateur title while hometown hero Herman ‘Deco’ Mutebi electrified the crowd with a professional win that sent local fans into a frenzy.
The victories of Kibirige and Mutebi, both crowd favourites, underscored the emotional and competitive depth of the series.
Now, all eyes are fixed on Lugazi. Built in 1996 and formerly known simply as Mehta, the course has undergone a quiet transformation. It is now a full 18-hole championship course, currently undergoing final touches in preparation for the grand stage.
A new viewing deck is in the works, and plans for a state-of-the-art clubhouse are well underway, expected to be completed within the next three years.
But the significance of Lugazi Hills extends beyond fairways and facilities. It has become a cradle of national talent, producing celebrated golfers like Godfrey Nsubuga and Joseph Reagan Akena both of whom have hoisted Uganda Open titles.
From these same sugar-kissed grounds have emerged other national standouts: Ibrahim Ssemakula, Winnie Musuya and junior prodigies Anthony Otukei and Peter Mayende.
The POA finale is more than just a tournament; it’s a crucial dress rehearsal for the biggest event on Uganda’s golfing calendar.
The Lugazi course is known for its challenging terrain, rewarding those with tactical discipline, physical endurance and mental composure, precisely the qualities that will define the Uganda Open.
