MTN Uganda has announced its sponsorship of the 2026 Entebbe Ladies Open, reaffirming its backing of women’s golf ahead of the tournament scheduled for February 26 to 28 at Entebbe Club.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the Entebbe clubhouse, confirming the return of the World Amateur Golf Ranking event after it was not staged in 2025. The tournament is a key fixture on the Uganda Golf Union calendar and will be the first Ladies Open of the national season.
This year’s edition features Main, Bronze and Subsidiary categories. The main championship runs from February 26 to 28, the Bronze event from February 27 to 28, and the Subsidiary competition on February 28. In a symbolic show of support for the women’s championship, male players in the subsidiary event will tee off from the ladies’ teeing boxes.
The tournament aligns with Women’s Month and echoes the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” which calls for investment in women to accelerate equality. Organisers say the event sets the competitive tone for the season while highlighting the growth of the women’s game.
Entry fees have been set at UGX 150,000 for the Main event, UGX 100,000 for the Bronze category and UGX 50,000 for the Subsidiary event. Registration is being handled by Entebbe Club in accordance with Uganda Golf Union regulations.
Speaking at the launch, Justina Icabala, Enterprise Segment Manager at MTN Uganda and team lead of the MTN Ladies golfers, said the company sees sport as a driver of opportunity and national development.
“MTN Uganda believes in the power of sport to transform lives, build networks, and create opportunity. Golf in particular provides a unique platform where business, mentorship, and personal growth intersect. Our continued support of the Entebbe Ladies Open reflects our confidence in the women shaping this sport and in the long term value it creates for communities and for Uganda. As the biggest supporter of sports in the country, we see women’s golf not as a niche, but as a strategic space for growth and empowerment.”
The 2026 edition carries a UGX 10 million elite reward package, a significant figure for the amateur women’s circuit. Organisers expect the enhanced prize structure to raise the level of competition and attract a strong regional field.
Lady Captain Maureen Okura described the revival of the event as a milestone for the club.
“The Entebbe Ladies Open is a significant milestone for Entebbe Club. Reviving this prestigious World Amateur Golf Ranking event reaffirms our position on the regional and global amateur golf stage. It enhances our international visibility and contributes to the long term sustainability of the club. For our members, this is a clear affirmation that Entebbe Club is not just participating in the game; we are leading it.”
She added: “This year’s MTN Entebbe Ladies Open will showcase one of the strongest elite fields we have seen in recent years. We are welcoming players who have consistently won on the local scene and represented Uganda internationally. With a field this strong, it is difficult to predict a winner, and that is what makes it exciting. The suspense and competitiveness will define this edition. We are not waiting for the future of women’s golf; we are building it here at Entebbe.”
Among the headline players expected are defending 2024 champion Peace Kabasweka, reigning 2025 Uganda Ladies Open winner Mercy Nyachama, three time national champion Martha Babirye and 2018 Entebbe Ladies Open winner Neema Olomi. Regional contenders including Loveness Frank, Wendy Angudeyo, Victoria Elias, Rukia Nalwoga and Stella Gama are also confirmed.
Entebbe professional Irene Nakalembe, who won the Entebbe Ladies title seven consecutive times, will compete in the subsidiary category in support of the championship.
The return of the Entebbe Ladies Open strengthens Uganda’s position within the regional amateur golf landscape, with the spotlight set to fall on both competition and the continued advancement of women in the sport.
