Berna Musanabera driving away in her brand new car
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I It was a day few on the fairways of Entebbe Golf Club will ever forget, as a relatively little-known golfer, Berna Musanabera, rose from obscurity to etch her name into Uganda’s sporting history by winning a brand-new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid during the 2026 Stanbic Match Play Challenge qualifiers.
The atmosphere was electric as 246 golfers teed off for the opening qualifier, but the moment that truly stole the spotlight came on the par-three 12th hole. With calm precision, Musanabera struck a perfectly judged shot that landed softly on the green before a gentle side spin guided the ball straight into the cup.
The flawless hole-in-one instantly ignited wild celebrations, with fellow players and spectators rushing to congratulate her.
That single swing made Musanabera the first female golfer — and indeed the first player in the history of the Stanbic Match Play series — to win a hole-in-one car prize. The Afrisafe-insured Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, provided by CFAO Mobility Uganda, was the grand reward for the day’s extraordinary feat, marking a historic milestone for Ugandan golf.
Speaking shortly after her triumph, Musanabera struggled to contain her joy and disbelief. Having actively played golf for just four years, she admitted the magnitude of her achievement was still sinking in.
Stanbic Bank’s Mumba Kalifungwa and Tich Makonese getting ready for action
“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 praised Stanbic Bank Uganda for its consistent support, noting that sustained sponsorship has been instrumental in growing the sport and creating platforms where players can chase both excellence and life-changing rewards.
The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid she drove away in boasts impressive fuel efficiency of about 21 kilometres per litre and comes with two years of service and a three-year warranty courtesy of Afrisafe Uganda — a package that underscored the premium nature of the prize.
Stanbic Bank’s Head of ICT, Ritah Apell, lauded the impressive turnout and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to sports development, linking it to the institution’s broader purpose of driving Uganda’s 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, highlighting the passion and dedication that define both sport and strong partnerships.
Afrisafe Uganda Managing Director Kwame Ejalu expressed delight that after a decade of sponsoring the hole-in-one prize, the coveted car had finally been claimed — and by a woman.
“Today we were very intentional about giving out the car, and it is even more exciting that a woman has broken this record,” he said.
Entebbe Golf Club Captain Sserwano Walusimbi described the qualifier as action-packed and predicted fiercer competition as the tournament advances. With enhanced finale prizes, including a trip to the DP World Tour in Dubai for the overall winner, the stage is set for high drama.
But for now, it is Musanabera’s remarkable swing — and her gleaming Toyota — that will dominate conversations on Uganda’s golfing greens.
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