2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open
- Day 1 leader: Neema Olomi (Tanzania) – 73
- 2nd: Martha Babirye (Uganda) – 77
- 3rd: Mercy Nyachama (Kenya) – 78
- T4: Winnie Musuya (Uganda) – 80
- T4: Asley Awor (Kenya) – 80
The Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club course has, for the second week running, been in the spotlight with the 2025 Johnnie Walker Golf Series.
After the Seniors in week one, focus has turned to the Ladies’ Open with round one played on Thursday, 28th August 2025.
Former champion Neema Olomi, winner of the Uganda ladies open in 2018, established a four-shot lead after the opening 18 holes.
Olomi, a member of Arusha Gymkhana Golf Club in Tanzania, recorded 2-over-73 in the first 18 holes with 4 birdies, 8 pars and 6 bogies.
Olomi opened her round with a birdie on the par-4 hole-1, followed with a level score on par-4-hole-2 before registering a hat-trick of bogies on holes 3, 4 and 5.
She had another par on hole 6, birdie on 7, with two successive pars on 8 and 9 for the front course.
Olomi embarked the final 9 holes with a par on 10, bogie on hole 11, par-score on 12, another bogie on 13, pars on 14 and 15, birdie on 16, bogie on 17 and wound up with an eye-catching birdie on 18.
“My round was good after a practice session a day before, which I believe helped a lot,” Olomi stated in Swahili.
“Driving long on such a long course played to my advantage,” she added after birdies on par-5 holes 7 and 16.
“I look forward to a great championship, we still have 36 holes to play,” she concluded.
Olomi approaches round two of the 54-hole competition with a four-stroke lead over Uganda’s Martha Babirye who played 6-over par 77 during the sunny round.
Sheraton Kampala Hotel-sponsored Babirye recorded 10 pars, 7 bogies and one birdie on the par-4 hole 18.
“My round was fair,” a smiling Babirye stated moments after handing in her scorecard.
“I know I will keep improving as the tournament progresses. I love to chase, and I have the ability,” she added.
Kenya’s Mercy Nyachama is 5 shots off the leader, having scored +7 (78) on round one.
Two golfers, Winnie Musuya (Uganda) and Kenya’s Asley Awor, are jointly tied fourth with +9 (80).
Last year’s champion, Iddy Madina, played a dismal +13 score (84 gross) and lies joint 7th on the leaderboard, alongside Julia Joan Nampewo.
Dorah Ayebazibwe, the Uganda Breweries Limited Trade, Marketing and Distribution representative (Bweyogerere and Seeta Zone) watched the day one action and was mesmerised.
“Uganda Breweries Limited, under the Johnnie Walker brand, is dedicated to women making significant strides under the Johnnie Walker She Walks mentorship program. Saturday will be the climax for the ladies,” Ayebazibwe remarked.
A total of 40 golfers were engaged in the silver category.
On day two, the second round will swing off alongside the bronze category of golfers.
Overnight leader Olomi, Mercy Nyachama and Babirye will tee off at 11:10 am.
The final round will conclude the Ladies Open on Saturday, 30th August 2025 with the prize-giving ceremony.
