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David GOMBE

For a lot of golfers, the sport is about competitors, talent and the enjoyment of being on the course. However on the 2026 Watoto Golf Event, the sport carried a a lot larger purpose- serving to weak moms construct higher lives for themselves and their households.

The third version of the Watoto Golf Event got here to an in depth on Saturday, August 8, at Uganda Golf Membership, Kitante, after every week of golf, networking and fundraising underneath the theme “Hope on the Inexperienced.” The match introduced collectively skilled golfers, amateurs, caddies, company groups, sponsors and golf lovers for a trigger that went past the golf course.

Talking on the closing ceremony, Senior Pastor and Staff Chief of Watoto Church Ministries, Julius Rwotlonyo, thanked Uganda Golf Membership for internet hosting the match and praised the membership for making this 12 months’s occasion a clean expertise regardless of the massive variety of gamers.

Pastor Rwotlonyo mentioned Watoto Church is dedicated to caring for communities and believes that religion ought to be demonstrated by way of sensible motion. He defined that the golf match is likely one of the methods the church is bringing folks collectively to assist weak moms.

“Golf might be performed for a profession, competitors or just camaraderie, however golf can be rotated for a trigger. That’s what Watoto Golf is about. We wish to go for a trigger past the inexperienced, which is de facto to carry hope to weak moms,” Pastor Rwotlonyo mentioned.

For Watoto Church, supporting weak moms shouldn’t be merely about giving them cash. The organisation works with girls over time, offering coaching, mentorship and enterprise assist to assist them grow to be extra impartial.

Pastor Rwotlonyo defined that the church doesn’t imagine handouts are a long-lasting resolution to poverty. As an alternative, the ladies are ready to make use of the assist they obtain to start out or strengthen companies and create sustainable sources of revenue.

Final 12 months, Watoto raised about Shs360 million by way of the match and different fundraising actions, with the purpose of supporting 1,000 weak moms. Greater than 700 moms have since gone by way of coaching and obtained assist to strengthen their companies, whereas the remaining girls are anticipated to profit because the programme continues.

This 12 months, Watoto set a goal of elevating Shs450 million to empower 1,000 weak moms by way of enterprise starter packs value Shs450,000 every.

The assist is meant to assist girls begin or broaden small companies, generate revenue and supply higher for his or her households.
“I pray that Hope on the Inexperienced will grow to be one among Uganda’s greatest charity occasions. Not simply to boost a lot cash, however to see extra lives remodeled by way of the generosity of Ugandans and those that love God,” he remarked.

Michael Nuwagaba, Chairman of Uganda Golf Membership talked about, “Uganda Golf Membership is proud to supply a platform the place Watoto can join with golfers and company companions who wish to contribute to the trigger.”

The match closed with winners and trophies celebrating high performers throughout varied classes. Ronald Rugumayo emerged as the general Skilled winner with 278 factors, whereas Juma Abiti secured victory within the Gross Elite Novice class with 218 factors. Among the many caddies, Denis Kabarira took residence the Finest Caddie (Males) with 75 factors, and Joweria Namanda claimed the Finest Caddie (Feminine) with 84 factors.

“One in all my favorite verses says, ‘I can do all issues by way of Jesus Christ.’ Earlier than I say something, I want to thank my fellow execs. We put in rather a lot, and on the similar time, all the pieces we do, if we don’t have tournaments like this, it’s all for nothing,” mentioned Rugumayo.

The match additionally obtained assist from a variety of companions together with; Uganda Skilled Golfers Affiliation, Deo Akope Basis, Energy FM, CFAO Mobility Uganda, Britam, Fenon, East African Growth Financial institution, Financial institution of Uganda, Fairway Resort, Sheraton Kampala Resort, ONOMO Resort Kampala, Fairness Financial institution Uganda, Stanbic Financial institution Uganda, Absa Financial institution Uganda, MTN Uganda and Capital One Group.

The Watoto Golf Event is a part of a wider aim to empower weak moms throughout Uganda and South Sudan. By 2034, when Watoto marks 50 years of impression, the organisation goals to empower 10,000 weak moms. Since 2008, greater than 8,700 girls have benefited from the Watoto Neighbourhood Programme by way of enterprise expertise, mentorship and entrepreneurship coaching.