Kilembe Mines Golf Course Revival Boosts Tourism in Kasese

By Obed Kithende

KASESE, Uganda – The restoration of golfing activities at the Kilembe Mines Limited Golf Course in Bulembia Division, Kasese Municipality, is being hailed as a key driver for boosting tourism in Kasese District and the broader Rwenzori region.

Last week, over 100 golfers from Fort Portal City, Masindi, Kampala, Mbarara, and Kabale converged in Kasese for the Kilembe Open, a prestigious golf tournament revived after years of dormancy. The week-long event saw participants not only compete on the revitalized course but also explore the region’s attractions.

Speaking to the New Light Paper, Ms. Joan Kitawona, Brand and Communications Officer at Hima Cement Limited, a major sponsor of the tournament, revealed that participants took time to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoyed boat rides on the Kazinga Channel, and experienced Kasese’s vibrant nightlife. “These activities showcase the tourism potential of Kasese,” she said.

Kitawona affirmed Hima Cement’s commitment to supporting golf in Uganda, including financial backing for golf clubs and nurturing young talent as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Ronald Kwikiiriza, Chairperson of the Kilembe Mines Golf Club, which hosted the event, urged local leaders and residents to protect the golf course from encroachment. The facility’s land has been targeted by illegal settlers following the halt of copper mining in the 1980s, which left the land underutilized and vulnerable to land grabbers amid Kasese’s growing population.

During a recent visit to Bulembia Division to assess Kilembe Mines’ assets, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, warned those who illegally occupied the golf course land to vacate as plans to resume copper mining progress.

The revival of the Kilembe Open and the golf course’s restoration signal a promising step toward revitalizing tourism and economic activity in the Rwenzori region.

Obed Kithende is a journalist based in Kasese, covering agriculture, health, and tourism issues.