Davis Kato (UPGA Chairman), Justina Icabala Ziraba (MTN Business), Walusimbi Serwano (Entebbe Club Captain), and Innocent Kihika (UPGA Trustee) pose with professional golfers at the MTN Pro-Tee Series launch

• MTN Uganda is expanding its investment in golf from amateur and corporate participation to the professional ranks through the launch of the MTN Pro-Tee Series.

• The series introduces a structured professional circuit featuring a 72-hole tournament format, an Order of Merit ranking system and a season-long pathway for Uganda’s elite golfers.

• The inaugural edition will feature 40 professional golfers competing for a prize purse, with prize money set to grow throughout the series.

• The initiative is anchored under the “Free Your Swing” theme, extending MTN Uganda’s broader “Free Your Fire” campaign into the world of golf.

MTN Uganda in partnership with Entebbe Club have today announced the launch of the MTN Pro-Tee Series, a landmark professional golf initiative designed to strengthen Uganda’s competitive golf ecosystem and provide elite players with a structured platform to grow their careers.

The launch marks a significant evolution in MTN Uganda’s golf journey at Entebbe Club. Having spent the last three years supporting the growth of amateur and corporate golf through the popular MTN Monthly Tee and MTN Grand Tee of Tees, the company is now extending its commitment to the professional game through a dedicated tournament series tailored specifically for Uganda’s top golfers.

The MTN Pro-Tee Series will be played exclusively by professional golfers and will introduce a rigorous international-standard competition format that rewards consistency, excellence and long-term performance. The inaugural edition will feature 40 professional golfers competing over 72 holes, with players accumulating points throughout the series in pursuit of the MTN Pro-Tee Order of Merit title.

The series is designed to elevate the professional game through a structured calendar of competition, increased playing opportunities and a season-long Order of Merit that rewards consistency and performance. The initiative underscores MTN Uganda’s commitment to creating sustainable pathways for professional golfers while raising competitive standards across the sport.

Speaking about the launch, Justina Icabala Ziraba, the Enterprise Segment Manager at MTN Business, said the initiative reflects the company’s continued commitment to creating platforms that empower Ugandans to realise their full potential.

“Over the last three years, we have witnessed the tremendous growth of golf at Entebbe Club and the vibrant community that has formed around the game. Through the MTN Pro-Tee Series, we are intentionally extending our support beyond recreation and participation to help build the competitive backbone of professional golf in Uganda. This platform is designed to give elite golfers the opportunity to compete consistently, earn competitively and showcase their talent within a structured environment that mirrors global standards,” Icabala said.

She added that the series aligns naturally with MTN Uganda’s ongoing Free Your Fire campaign, which seeks to inspire Ugandans to pursue their ambitions boldly and confidently.

“Free Your Swing is our invitation to professional golfers to express themselves fully on the course, compete fearlessly and unlock new possibilities in their careers. It is a natural extension of Free Your Fire, bringing the same energy, ambition and spirit of self-expression into the game of golf,” she added.

The series will be contested across multiple events during the year, with points awarded to players who make the cut. The cumulative ranking system will create a compelling season-long narrative as professionals compete for supremacy and the coveted MTN Pro-Tee Order of Merit crown.

Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) Chairman Davis Kato said:

“The MTN Pro-Tee Series is a game-changer for professional golf in Uganda. As an association, we have worked hard to grow the professional game, increasing our membership from 29 professionals in 2022 to 62 today. What has been missing is a structured platform that gives players consistent opportunities to compete, earn and develop. Through the MTN Pro-Tee Series, MTN Uganda is helping to raise the standard of professional golf by introducing an international-standard competition format, an Order of Merit and meaningful prize purses that motivate players to perform throughout the season. This partnership gives our professionals something to work towards and creates a stronger pathway for Ugandan golfers to compete successfully on bigger stages.”

Beyond the competition itself, the MTN Pro-Tee Series will retain the vibrant atmosphere that has become synonymous with MTN golf experiences. The professional tournament will culminate in a weekend celebration that brings together professionals, amateurs, corporate players and golf enthusiasts through a blend of sport, lifestyle and entertainment, reinforcing golf’s appeal to a new generation of audiences.

The official launch of the MTN Pro-Tee Series will take place at Entebbe Club ahead of the inaugural tournament, which will see Uganda’s leading professionals compete for the first points of the season and begin their quest to become the inaugural MTN Pro-Tee champion.