By Flavia Ajok
In a bid to fight Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Kinyara Sugar Works Limited in partnership with the Ugandan golfing fraternity over the weekend turned their focus and attention to the 2023 Kinyara Open at the 9-hole Kinyara Golf Club, Bujenje in Masindi with a focus on having a healthy community through sports.
Amateurs, professionals and senior golfers were accommodated in this two day’s 25th edition of the Kinyara Sugar Open Golf Tournament that ended Saturday November 25, 2023.
Aldon Walukamba the corporate communications manager Kinyara Sugar Works Limited says this year’s tournament provides an opportunity to sensitize the public on the importance of physical activity in the prevention of NCDs.
He has urged the masses that the only way to live a long life is to eat healthily and exercise. He highlighted the growing threat of NCDs in the country, “many people across the country are increasingly enjoying unhealthy lifestyles, but this is detrimental to their wellness.”
In Uganda, according to the Uganda NCD Survey, NCDs account for 40% of deaths and the trend is increasing. 1 in every 4 adults has high blood pressure, 3 among 4 of those with high blood pressure do not know that they have it. In addition, 4,690 people died of diabetes in 2016 while 2 in 100 Ugandan adults have diabetes. In 2018, 21,829 people died of cancer while 32, 617 new cancer cases occurred in the same year.
Walukamba explains that golf is one of games that bring together people of all ages and all walks of life.
He says this 25th edition is a landmark of its own where they have had a total of 9 sponsors including six insurance companies, Pepsi, KCB Bank and Kinyara Sugar Works Limited.
Walukamba adds that the tournament attracted more than 200 golfers from within and outside Uganda.
Joseph Cwinya-ai of Tooro Golf Club retained his Kinyara Open title by winning the tournament that was held at the nine-hole Kinyara Golf Course in Masindi. he bagged a cash prize of Sh10 million.
In the professional’s category, Adolf Muhumuza lifted the trophy. The tournament returned after a two-year break.
Meanwhile, golfers in Masindi have resolved to develop the sport from the grassroots in a bid to nurture more talents.
Kinyara Open Golf tournament attracted over 200 players from clubs that included: Tooro, Nile, Lira, Kampala, Jinja, Palm Valley, Tororo, Mehta Lugazi, Namulonge and Serena Gollf Clubs.
Patricia Nakuya, a lady golfer from Arua in west Nile describes Kinyara Open Golf Tournament as a big contributor to Uganda’s golf sport saying the tournament has given hance to many golfers to showcase their talent and compete on both the national and international scene.
Kinyara Golf club captain Moses Enzama expressed gratitude upon the return of the tournament that is making 25 editions since inception.
