Golfer Berna Musanabera recieving car keys from the CFAO represenative and AfriSafe’s Andrew Baguma together with Entebbe Golf Club Captain.
By Our Reporter
Entebbe: Excitement swept across the greens of Entebbe Golf Club as the 2026 Stanbic Match Play Challenge qualifiers teed off, delivering a historic milestone for Ugandan golf.
Berna Musanabera etched her name into the record books with a spectacular hole-in-one at the par-three 12th hole, winning an Afrisafe-insured Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid that had been staked as the day’s grand prize. With that remarkable ace, she became not only the first female golfer but the first player in the history of the Stanbic Match Play series to claim a hole-in-one car prize.
Her perfectly struck tee shot landed smoothly on the green before a precise side spin guided the ball straight into the cup, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and spectators.
Speaking moments after her triumph, an elated Musanabera—who has actively played golf for four years—said she could hardly believe she had made history.
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Golfer Berna Musanabera recieving car keys from the CFAO represenative and AfriSafe’s Andrew Baguma together with Entebbe Golf Club Captain.
By Our Reporter
Entebbe: Excitement swept across the greens of Entebbe Golf Club as the 2026 Stanbic Match Play Challenge qualifiers teed off, delivering a historic milestone for Ugandan golf.
Berna Musanabera etched her name into the record books with a spectacular hole-in-one at the par-three 12th hole, winning an Afrisafe-insured Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid that had been staked as the day’s grand prize. With that remarkable ace, she became not only the first female golfer but the first player in the history of the Stanbic Match Play series to claim a hole-in-one car prize.
Her perfectly struck tee shot landed smoothly on the green before a precise side spin guided the ball straight into the cup, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and spectators.
Speaking moments after her triumph, an elated Musanabera—who has actively played golf for four years—said she could hardly believe she had made history.
“I can’t imagine that I’m now part of history,” she said. “This shows that golf is not just a sport but also rewarding. I encourage more golfers, especially ladies, to actively participate because there are real opportunities.”
She also commended Stanbic Bank Uganda for its continued investment in the sport, noting that such commitment has contributed significantly to golf’s steady growth in the country.
Musanabera drove away in a brand-new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, presented by CFAO Mobility Uganda. The fuel-efficient vehicle offers approximately 21 kilometres per litre and includes two years of service and a three-year warranty courtesy of Afrisafe Uganda.
A total of 246 golfers participated in the qualifier, including Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Mumba Kalifungwa and several high-profile players from across the country.
Ritah Apell, Stanbic Bank’s Head of ICT, praised the impressive turnout, noting that the bank’s continued sponsorship of golf aligns with its purpose: “Uganda is our home, we drive her growth.”
“While many are at candlelit dinners, you chose to be on the greens. That tells us something powerful—that you love this game,” Apell said. “Love is about commitment. It’s about showing up. It’s about passion. Those same values define sport, banking, and strong partnerships.”
Kwame Ejalu, Managing Director of Afrisafe Uganda, expressed his delight that after 10 years of sponsoring the hole-in-one prize, the car had finally been won.
“Unlike other editions where it has always been one hole, today we increased the number because we were very intentional about giving out the car,” Ejalu said. “It is even more exciting that a woman has broken this record.”
Match play differs from stroke play in that competitors compete hole by hole rather than by total score, adding heightened pressure, strategy, and excitement to every swing.
Sserwano Walusimbi, Captain of Entebbe Golf Club, described the qualifier as action-packed and energetic, noting that competition will intensify as the tournament progresses.
“This is just a qualifier. As we move from round one to the final, only the very best will remain in the race,” Walusimbi said.
He added that the tournament’s finale prizes have been enhanced: the overall winner will attend the DP World Tour in Dubai, the runner-up will travel to Zanzibar, and another top performer will head to Mombasa. Additional prizes throughout the series are supported by Stanbic Bank, Uganda Airlines, CFAO Mobility Uganda, and Afrisafe Uganda.
“I want to congratulate Berna for writing history,” Walusimbi said.
