Zambia's Musonda takes two-stroke lead as Uganda Amateur Open starts

This year’s Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open Championship might produce another foreign winner after Zambian Musonda took a two-stroke lead as the amateurs open teed-off at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.

Musonda opened with a six-under 65 laced with 8 birdies (four each on the front and back) and took a two-stroke lead ahead of Ugandan and 2019 winner Joseph Cwinyaai, who carded 67.

The 22-year-old Zambian who three months ago came second in the Botswana Open played like a home-grown golfer and had a clean card until his first bogey on the par-4 hole 14 and before the second on the par-3 17.

Despite taking the lead and playing for the first time in Uganda, the R#A-sponsored student of engineering said he struggled with his tee shots which he hopes to improve in the remaining rounds.

Dominic Musonda (left) interacts with his caddie befoire putting on the 17th green during the opening round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Golfers have always complained of the terrain of the Lugazi course but with a range finder in hand, he did not have many problems using his 11-year experience to take the lead.

“I have played several courses around the world but this course is a bit different and hard; you can’t have a proper stance, but it is manageable,” Musonda noted.

“I only pray that my swing comes back in the remaining three days because I struggled alot from the tee today,”

Cwinyaai had an almost bogey-free round save for the one on the par-3 17 and you cannot rule him out after the defending champion Reagan Akena struggled with a six-over 77 on his home course.

Two other Ugandans Elton Thembo and Abdu Kakeeto are tied for third after they each played one-under 70 while Peter Tumusiime, Rogers Eyoyo and John Musiimenta are tied in fifth after they each played level-par 71.

Andrew Ssekibejja, Sunday Lulet, Lawrence Walakira and Ibrahim Ssemakula are also tied for eighth after they all carded 72.

It promises to be a tightly contested championship if the top ten can maintain all improve their scores in the subsequent rounds.

The 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship is sponsored by Absa Bank Uganda, Aquafina, Isuzu Mac East Africa, Uganda Tourism Board, Medisell Uganda, NBS sports, and MTN MoMo.

Top ten

Dominic Musonda (ZAM) 65

Joseph Cwinyaai (UG) 67

Elton Thembo (UG) 70

Abdu Kakeeto (UG) 70

Peter Tumusiime (UG) 71

Rogers Eyoyo (UG) 71

John Musiimenta (UG) 71

Andrew Ssekibejja (UG) 72

Sunday Lulet (UG) 72

Lawrence Walakira (UG) 72

Ibrahim Ssemakula (UG)  72