2026 EQUITY WAITARA TROPHY: Just for Fun, Tango Fires a Historic 63
20 Sep 2026
By Staff Writer
Joseph Tango produced a remarkable performance at the 2026 Equity Waitara Trophy, carding a historic 63 nett to claim the overall title at TPDF Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam.
Tango’s outstanding round delivered the lowest winning score in the history of the Waitara Trophy and secured his second overall championship, five years after his first victory in 2021.
The achievement also saw Tango join Juma Likuli as the only two players to have won the overall Waitara Trophy title twice.
Likuli captured the championship in 2016 and again in 2022.
Despite the impressive record, the tournament’s elusive back-to-back championship remained intact.
Defending champion Dr Edmund Mndolwa, who won the 2025 edition with a 66 nett, was unable to retain the title.
Speaking to Royal Golf, Tango said he was delighted with the result but had not entered the tournament focused on winning.
“Yes, I was very happy. I’m very busy, so I don’t play much golf, but I try to play at 6 in the morning—9 holes, twice a week. And I was just having fun; I wasn’t thinking about winning.”
"Thank you to everyone who made the day special—Lugalo leadership, our sponsors, all the golfers, the green keeping team, and my team. It was a great day, and I truly appreciate everyone’s support and contribution. Stay blessed," added Tango.
Full List of 2026 Winners
Overall Net Winner: Joseph Tango — 63 nett
Men’s Gross Winner: Victor Mwene 72
Ladies’ Gross Winner: Leticia Kapalia
Division A Winner: Kiye Mwakawago
Division A Runner-up: Khalid Shemndolwa
Division B Winner: Frank Gonza
Division B Runner-up: Julius Ndungutse
Division C Winner: Lyamba Mosses
Division C Runner-up: Boniphace Japhet
Senior Winner: Joseph Tairo
Senior Runner-up: Gulam Dewji
Silver Ladies Winner: Zahara Shemndolwa
Silver Ladies Runner-up: Chiku Elias
Bronze Ladies Winner: Zainab Bachoo
Bronze Ladies Runner-up: Aveline Ngweshemi
Longest Drive — Men: Enosh Wanyeche
Longest Drive— Ladies: Leticia Kapalia
Nearest to Pin — Men: Major Chediel Msechu
Nearest to Pin — Ladies: Mansweta Paul
Professional Golfers
Winner: Fadhyl Nkya
First Runner-up: Angel Eaton
Second Runner-up: Iddi Mzaki
Around 200 golfers took part in this year’s event, which was sponsored by Equity Bank and organised by TPDF Lugalo Golf Club under the chairmanship of Major General Wilbert Ibuge.
Established in 2011 in honour of club founder General (Rtd) George Waitara, the Waitara Trophy has grown into one of Lugalo Golf Club’s notable annual tournaments.
With his record-setting 63 nett, Tango now adds another significant chapter to the history of the Waitara Trophy.
The roll of honour includes Paul Uliwa (2011), Sudson Manatsa (2012), Neville Cory (2013), Kibuna Usitambe (2014), George Nyakundi (2015), Juma Likuli (2016), Isiaka Daudi (2018), Samuel Kileo (2019), Khalid Shemdolwa (2020), Joseph Tango (2021), Juma Likuli (2022), Boniphace Japhet (2023) and Dr Edmund Mdolwa (2025).
