Kampala / Namulonge – The 5th Edition of the Equity NARO Golf Open delivered a blend of sport, celebration, and reflection as Equity Bank Uganda marked 17 years of operations in the country.
The tournament, held under a vibrant Old School/Vintage theme, attracted elite golfers, customers, partners, and members of the golfing community for one of Uganda’s most anticipated annual sporting events.
Musoke Shines on the Fairway
Dominic Musoke produced a brilliant performance to win the Equity NARO Open 2025, carding an overall 2-under 208 over three rounds. Musoke registered 14 birdies, six bogeys, and two double bogeys, opening with a 2-under 68 before returning back-to-back level-par 70s. He beat Joseph Chinyaai by five strokes, securing his second Equity NARO Open title.
Chinyaai—who has dominated the golf circuit this year with wins at the Kakira Open, Kinyara, Uganda Open, Uganda Ladies Open, Presidents Cup, and Entebbe Open—settled for second place. Namulonge’s Charles Jjunju finished third, Juma Abiti took fourth, while defending champion Abdullah Kakooza came fifth, 13 strokes behind Musoke.
In the ladies’ category, Meron Kyomugisha reaffirmed her growing dominance, adding the Equity NARO Open crown to her recent Kinyara Open win. She returned a score of 221, beating Joyce Kisembo (238) by 17 strokes. Resty Nalutaaya placed third with 241, followed closely by Peace Kabasweka with 242. The tournament remains an Amateur World Golf Ranking event.
A Celebration of Equity Bank’s 17-Year Journey
During the awards ceremony, Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko reflected on the bank’s journey since opening its first branch in 2008.
“Equity’s purpose has always been to create opportunities for people to grow, to thrive, and to live a dignified life,” Shoko said.
He highlighted Equity’s growth to 50 branches, 9,000+ Equity Duuka agents, 2,000+ merchants, and a digital ecosystem serving over 2.2 million customers.
“This progress reflects the confidence and trust Ugandans continue to place in Equity,” he noted.
Shoko emphasised the bank’s leadership in financial inclusion, pointing to innovations such as agency banking, digital onboarding, and USSD account opening. Today, he said, “Over 80% of transactions take place outside the branch. Equity Bank has always been about people, not just banking.”
Empowering Youth, Entrepreneurs, and Communities
The MD celebrated the transformative work of Equity’s enterprise and youth development programs: 160,000+ young entrepreneurs trained, 200,000 youth jobs created and UGX 125 billion disbursed in affordable financing.
Through the Equity Group Foundation, he added, education, agriculture, and environmental conservation programs continue to benefit thousands across Uganda.
Commitment to Namulonge and the Golfing Community
Shoko hailed the Equity NARO Golf Open for becoming “one of Uganda’s most anticipated golf events,” reiterating Equity’s support for the expansion of the Namulonge Golf Course from 9 to 18 holes—a milestone that will elevate the club’s status.
He concluded with gratitude to partners, customers, regulators, staff, and the golfing community: “Seventeen years are behind us, and a future full of opportunity lies ahead.”
Equity Bank also celebrated standout performers of the day, including one of its own staff members, Afurah Arinda, who emerged as 2nd runner-up in Group B Ladies, playing off handicap 16 and returning 30 points.
A night of vintage fashion, classical music, networking, and celebration capped a successful event—setting the stage for an even bigger tournament in 2026.
