If a Ugandan is going to lift the 2026 Uganda Golf Open, he will have to outperform a pair of Zambian golfers who eviscerated the par-72 course at Kitante after a day of glorious skies.
Gilbert Chalwe and Dominic Musonda sank 12 birdies enroute to rounds of 65 and 68, propelling them to the top of the leaderboard.
Musonda, who lost to Joseph Cwinya-ai in last year’s Open at Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club, turned on the style. Showing 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 at Lugazi, which all but ended his title charge on the final day.
Behind the Zambians sit a pair of Ugandan national team golfers, Joseph Kasozi and John Musiimenta, who will be seeking to up the ante on a critical Day 3.
Both Kasozi and Musiimenta carded identical rounds of level-par 72 to keep themselves in contention for the prestigious tournament. Neither of them has won the Open before.
It is shaping up to be a duel between Zambia and Uganda, with the flag bearers in this war of attrition being Chalwe and Musonda against Kasozi and Musiimenta.
Make no mistake, though, this is not match play. Each golfer will need to summon his best possible swing to give himself a shot at claiming the trophy on Friday.
Another Zambian, Musamba Kapoma, sits 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 for 6th at four-over.
It was, however, a rough day for defender Cwinya-ai, whose hopes for a successful title defense evaporated after another poor round by his lofty standards.
It is looking increasingly likely that the Uganda Open will crown a first-time winner on Friday evening.
Players and spectators alike will be praying for weather conditions as optimal as Wednesday’s rain-free skies.
