Uganda Amateur Golf Open set for thrilling Day 3

Zambians Chalwe, Musonda turn on screw as Open reaches critical bend  

 Kampala, Uganda | UGU MEDIA |  If a Ugandan is going to lift the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open, he will have to do better than a pair of Zambian golfers who eviscerated the par-72 course at Kitante after a day of glorious skies Wednesday. Gilbert Chalwe and Dominic Musonda sank 12 birdies en route to rounds of 65 and 68 that hurled them to the top of the leaderboard.  

Musonda, who lost out to Joseph Cwinya-ai in last year’s Open at Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club, turned on the style. With razor-sharp game management, Musonda was impeccable with his wedges and deadly on the greens. He played with the poise of a man ready to erase the memory of last year’s controversial out-of-bounds ball on no. 10, in Lugazi, that all but ended his contest on the final day.

Behind the Zambians is a pair of Ugandan national team golfers, Joseph Kasozi and John Musiimenta, who will be seeking to up the ante on a critical day three today. Both Kasozi and Musiimenta carded identical rounds of level-par 72 to keep themselves in contention for the prestigious tournament. None of them have won the Open before.

It will basically be a duel between Zambia and Uganda, with the flag bearers in the war of attrition being Chalwe and Musonda against Kasozi and Musiimenta. But make no mistake, this will not be a matchplay. Each golfer will be summoning his best possible swing to give himself the best possible chance to pursue the trophy on Friday.

Another Zambian, Musamba Kapoma is in 5th position, just six strokes off the pace with an outside chance to mount a late charge. Three golfers, Peter Mayende, Joel Okoth, and Lawrence Walakira, are tied in 6^th at four-over.

It was, however, a very rough day for holder Cwinya-ai, whose hopes for a successful defence evaporated after another poor round by his lofty standards. It is increasingly looking likely that the Uganda Open will have a first-time winner crowned on Friday evening.

Golf enthusiasts and participants in the tournament will also be praying that the conditions are as optimal as Wednesday’s, where there was no rain.

Other sponsors of the Uganda Golf Open are ABSA Bank, Aquafina, Medisell, Finaltus, Case Hospital, MTN, National Council of Sports, NBS, Pearl Marina, Rosefoam, Uganda Airlines, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Golf Club and R&A.

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DAY 3 DRAW