Musonda destined for Uganda Open glory after third-round 64

Zambian golfer Dominic Musonda is poised to win his first Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open title after delivering a flawless third round, scoring 8-under 64 at Kitante on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Nkana Golf Club player completed a bogey-free round with six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 first hole, moving six strokes ahead of compatriot Gilbert Chalwe, who shot 1-under 71 and relinquished his overnight lead.

After shooting a 4-under 68 in the second round, 22-year-old Musonda was one shot behind fellow Ugandan Joseph Kasozi.

Joseph Kasozi chips to the sixth green during the third round action. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

He admitted he was unsure about his chances and said he would stick to his routine and see how things played out. That approach paid off, as strong approach shots and excellent putting helped him take the lead heading into the final round of the 72-hole, $15m contest, with his partner cheering him on. Musonda, who was runner-up to Joseph Cwinya-ai in last year’s Open at Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club, put on another strong performance by shooting 6-under on the front nine.

He started with an eagle on the first hole, then made birdies on holes 2, 3, 5, and 8. He finished his round with more birdies on 12 and 13, making it a great day on the Kitante greens.

“I haven’t won a tournament in a while because I was focused on school. For the last two months, I was taking my final exams, so I didn’t play golf for about a year. But for this one, my team and I came prepared to win it,” Musonda, an electrical engineering student at the Northern Technical College in Zambia, said.

Zambian Gilbert Chalwe slipped after the third round at Kitante, August 27, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Chalwe, who led overnight, could not match his impressive 7-under from the second round. He shot a 1-under 71 in the third round but still holds second place, five strokes ahead of Uganda’s Kasozi. Kasozi only made one birdie and had four bogeys, which hurt his chances.

As Kasozi slipped, Juma Abiti’s third-round 67 had him jump to fourth, while the defending champion Joseph Cwinyaai also shot 69 to move joint sixth with another Zambian, Musama Kapoma, at 220 gross each in 54 holes.

Anthony Otukei also played 1-under 71, improving by six strokes to move to 8th position, while John Musiimenta slipped from fourth to fifth after his third-round 5-over 77. The winner of the event will pocket sh3m, with the runners-up and third-place finisher taking home sh1.9m and sh1.6 m, respectively.

Dominic Musonda (ZAM) 72 68 64 204

Gilbert Chalwe (ZAM) 74 65 71 210

Joseph Kasozi (UG) 68 72 75 215

Juma Abiti (UG) 73 77 67 217

John Musiimenta (UG) 70 72 77 219

Joseph Cwinyaai (UG) 73 78 69 220

Musamba Kapoma (ZAM) 73 72 75 220

Anthony Otukei (UG) 73 77 71 221]

Joel Okoth (UG) 75 73 72 222

Peter Mayende (UG) 76 72 74 222