Dominic Musonda completed his Uganda Open redemption on Friday, August 28, turning last year’s runner up finish into victory, after a brilliant third round propelled him to the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Amateur Championship, at Uganda Golf Club.
The Zambian from Nkana Golf Club, carded rounds of 72, 68, 64 and 75 to finish on 279, nine under par, three shots ahead of compatriot Gilbert Chalwe, who closed on 282.
Musonda had kept himself within reach during the opening two rounds, before producing the round that changed the championship. His four under par 68 in the second round moved him into contention, but it was the 64 on Thursday that gave him command, opening a six-shot advantage going into the final round.
With that cushion, Musonda was able to dictate the pace of the championship on Friday. At one point, during the front nine, his lead stretched to 10 shots, effectively taking the pressure off the Zambian, even as Chalwe attempted to mount a comeback.
Musonda eventually carded 75 in the final round, but the advantage created by his third round proved decisive. Chalwe shot 72 on Friday, while Uganda’s defending champion Joseph Cwinya-ai finished third on 290, after closing with a 70.
“I am very happy because I came here with the goal of winning,” Musonda said. “When I finished second last year, I was motivated to come back and try again.”
“I am very grateful, because winning after what happened last year makes this victory special. It gives me confidence and shows me that the work I have been putting has paid off.”
The victory also gave Zambia its first Uganda Amateur Open champion, with Chalwe completing a Zambian one two at the top of the leaderboard.
Cwinya-ai, who won last year’s championship, had struggled during the opening two rounds and those scores left him with too much ground to recover. He responded with a 69 in the third round and 70 in the final round, to secure third place.
Joseph Kasozi, who had started strongly, finished fourth on 291, while Lawrence Walakira, Joel Okoth, Musamba Kapoma and John Musiimenta shared fifth on 294. Walakira’sclosing 70 contained seven birdies. Godfrey Kambale and Sande Lulet completed the top 10 on 296.
Ignatious Twesigye provided another highlight when he recorded his first ever hole in one on the fourth hole, striking a 50 degree wedge that found the bottom of the flag.
Musonda was presented with the championship trophy by the Uganda Golf Union President- Dr Jackson Were, alongside his predecessor- Moses Matsiko and Tournament Director/ Uganda Golf Union Vice President- Paul Rukundo.
His victory was another chapter in an increasingly continental Uganda Open, which has seen golfers from across Africa compete for honours in the different categories.
Tanzania’s Hawa Wanyeche won the Ladies Open, while Uganda’s Elijah Luutu took honours in the Seniors competition, before Musonda’s success in the Amateur championship.
Johnnie Walker East Africa Brand Manager Christine Kyokunda said the diversity of winners across the Uganda Open captures the spirit of African connection and exchange that the brand hopes to foster through the championship.
“That is what makes this year’s Johnnie Walker Uganda Open special for us. It is a platform where Africans from different countries and different generations can meet, compete and celebrate together.
The Johnnie Walker Afro Exchange builds on that idea. We want the interaction to go beyond the golf course, creating a space where sport meets African music, fashion, art, food and culture. It is about bringing different African stories together and celebrating what connects us,” Kyokunda said.
Group B golfers teed off on Saturday to complete the subsidiary competition, before the prize giving ceremony that will be headlined by a music performance by songstress Karole Kasita.
