More than 100 Rwandan golfers and 40 international players gathered in Kigali for the 10th edition of the Muema Challenge, a premier golf tournament that blends sport with business networking across Africa. Hosted at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas from June 13 to 14, the two-day tournament celebrated a decade of the Muema Challenge’s growing impact on both the sport and the business landscape of the continent. ALSO READ: I&M Bank Rwanda records Rwf5.4 bn profit after tax in first quarter of 2025 Launched in 2015, the Muema Challenge is an annual amateur golf tournament held four times a year across different African destinations. This year’s second edition was hosted in Kigali, with I&M Bank Rwanda serving as the main sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to promoting wellness, regional integration, and business through sport. Paul Murunga, Brand, Partnerships and Communications Director at the Muema Challenge, highlighted the tournament's broader purpose beyond golf. “Muema Challenge is a place where people meet to enjoy golf, relax, and have a good time. So the bottom line about Muema is, first of all, we must have fun. That's why we have come here,” Murunga said, commending the beauty of Kigali Golf Resort and Villas. “But, in the middle of having fun, we play some good golf, we meet new people, and we go to the very best destinations in Africa. So Muema Challenge is an African brand, playing at the best African golf venues. So if you see us coming to your venue, it means you have a beautiful course that we want our members to enjoy.” He added that Muema’s mission is to create a trusted pan-African platform where business and leisure intersect, allowing professionals to pitch ideas, explore collaborations, and enjoy the best of African hospitality. “Because of the nature of the people who come, our clients are mostly well-to-do senior business people, entrepreneurs, diplomats, generally high net worth individuals within the region,” he added, emphasizing that the challenge also fosters business connections among attendees. “What happens when you put these people in the same room is that deals happen. That is the idea of the Muema Challenge. And behind that, we want to pitch the best ideas so they can be heard, and generate good products and services.” Murunga added that, since their first edition in Rwanda in 2024, I&M Bank has been a key partner in ensuring the success of the competition. Fiona Kamikazi, Head of Marketing and Communication at I&M Bank Rwanda, highlighted the bank’s continued partnership with Muema and its broader vision to promote healthy, active lifestyles through sport. She also noted the bank’s participation not only as a sponsor but also as a part of the competition through the representation of Diana Mukunde, who is the bank’s Corporate Banking Lead. ALSO READ: I&M Bank Rwanda registers 74% increase in net profit in 2024 “It is even special this time because we have one of our staff in the competition, and next year we hope to have more,” Kamikaze added, emphasizing the long-term working relationship between the bank and Muema’s Challenge. In its effort to expand, the Muema Challenge’s next edition is set to be in Uganda, and Kamikazi noted that the bank will participate, emphasizing the bank’s regional footprint. “They are planning to expand the challenge to Uganda soon, and I&M Bank is a regional bank operating in four countries in the region, so we are going to be there too, she said. She also highlighted some of the bank’s services like ‘Karame campaign,’ which offers individuals up to Rwf50 million in collateral-free loans, as well as high-yield savings accounts offering up to 9% interest. The winners were awarded cash prizes, with Keith Bunyenyezi crowned the Overall Champion, taking home Rwf551,000. Other top honors included Jean D’Amour Hitayezu, Gross Winner, with Rwf440,000 cash prize, and Joseph Adrapi as the East Africa Winner with Rwf413,000 award.
