Lugazi Golf Course marked its return in style by hosting the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open for the first time this month, a milestone that delivered both sporting excitement and a major boost to the local economy.
The course, reopened in November 2024 after five years of renovation, drew golfers from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Morocco, and Nigeria.
Their arrival turned Lugazi into a lively hub, with hotels, restaurants, and traders reporting record earnings during the tournament.
Among the biggest beneficiaries was the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja. General Manager Justine Mugumya said the influx of visitors from Kampala and abroad not only filled rooms but also sparked long-term business partnerships.
“The tournament opened doors we hadn’t imagined, bringing together guests who see Lugazi and Jinja as more than just a stopover,” Mugumya noted.
The event’s influence stretched beyond the bottom line. Many local entrepreneurs, inspired by the atmosphere, expressed new interest in golf as a space for networking and growth.
