JEAN Baptiste Hakizimana is desperate to end the year on a high by defending his Uganda Open title scheduled for next month at the Par-72 Kitante Golf course.

The 25-year-old, who had a poor outing at the KCB East Africa Golf Tour-Mombasa leg, last week, is optimistic about his chances of retaining his title in the 69th edition of the prestigious tournament.

"The fact that I won the tourney last year will give me a lot of confidence. I will have a few days’ training at Kitante golf course to get the feel of the greens,” Hakizimana said.

Over 35 golfers will take part in the three-day tourney that has Rwf11m in prize money.

Hakizimana endured a torrid run in Mombasa after finishing 19th.

Ends