Rwanda’s Celestine Nsanzuwera lit up the Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club on Friday, firing a sparkling 65 to take the lead heading into the final round of the 2025 Uganda Open.
Play was briefly halted by heavy afternoon rain, but Nsanzuwera kept his composure, closing with four straight birdies to finish six-under.
His best moment came at the par-3 15th, where his tee shot clipped the flag and stopped inches from the hole.
The 24-year-old now sits two shots clear of Kenya’s veteran Dismas Indiza, a record winner of this tournament and a player famous for chasing down leaders when it matters most.
Nsanzuwera, runner-up at Entebbe last year and fresh off victory at a Sunshine Development Tour event in Kigali, will start as the man to beat in Saturday’s 11:30 a.m. tee-off.
But Indiza is far from done. Known as Mzee wa kazi for his endurance and experience, he thrives under pressure and will pounce on any slip.
Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi also made a statement with a scorching back-nine 31, while Uganda’s Marvin Max Kibirige showed promise with seven birdies.
Late bogeys hurt his round, but as the only Ugandan in the lead group, he carries the weight of home support.
Further back, Ronald Rugumayo will line up alongside Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu and Uganda’s amateur star Ibrahim Ssemakula.
Six shots off the pace, Rugumayo will need something special on final day (Saturday September 12) to land his first professional Open title.
