Uganda national team golfer Joseph Kasozi shot 4-under-68 to take command of the field at the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open in Kampala (Uganda Golf Club).
With 6 birdies on holes 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14 and 15; Kasozi was unstoppable during the first round of action where he also had 11 pars and one double bogie on par 4-hole-12.
Kasozi’s opening round lead put him one stroke ahead of fellow national member Abdullah Kakooza during a rain-laden day.
John Musiimenta, a student at Makerere University is third on the leaderboard after 18 holes with 2-under-70.
Lawrence Walakira (71), Zambian Dominic Musonda (72), Joseph Cwinyaai (73), Juma Abiti (73), Antony Otukei (73), another Zambia Musamba Kapoma (73), Derrick Musana (73) and Paul Habyarimana (73) are all in the top 10.
Three golfers Mackinon Masereka, Brian Mmande and Zambia’s Gilbert Chalwe all shot 2-over 74 and are tied in 11th.
Round two swung off on Wednesday morning ahead of two other grueling days on Thursday and Friday.
The subsidiary cluster will play on Saturday, 29th August 2026, the same day for prize giving.
A total of 116 elite gross players are in contention for the Holy grail whose defending champion is Uganda’s Cwinya-ai.
A bulk of the golfers are Ugandans, with visiting delegation from Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini and United States of America (USA).
The amateur open follows successful competitions in the ladies and seniors’ categories.
Hawa Wanyeche won the ladies’ open whilst Elijah Luutu and Catherine were successful for the seniors.
Uganda Breweries Limited under the Johnnie Walker brand is the main sponsor.
