Rugumayo takes one-stroke lead as the Professionals’ Open starts
Rugumayo registered six birdies, five of them coming on the front nine.
Ronald Rugumayo watches his drive from the 15th tee during the first round, September 2, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Uganda professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo carded an opening round 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Golf Open got underway at Kitante on Tuesday.
Rugumayo registered six birdies, five of them coming on the front nine, on the par-4 hole 2 and on the par-5s; 1, 3, 5 and 8, to set the pace for the chasing pack that includes Cameroonian Fon Pristhy, Ghanaian Ezekiel Afiasco and Ugandan Rodell Gaita who all shot 70 to tie in second.
It could have been better for Rugumayo, who led the field with 5-under before he dropped a stroke on the par-3 11 and restored it with another birdie on the par-5 13. It stayed that way until he dropped more strokes on the par-4s 16 and 18. But he is happy with the day’s return, which he hopes to improve on in the subsequent rounds.
“Well, I can't say much. First round of the tournament. Yes, I know it would have been much better than that, but I'm grateful for what the day has given me,” Rugumayo, who won the Pro-Am top prize of sh3.5m on Tuesday, said. “You just have to give yourself enough chances on the par 5s. But the conditions are tricky, I should say. They are 50-50. They give shots and at the same time they take shots. You just have to hang in there.”
2024 winner Zambian Dayne Moore chips from a bunker on hole 17. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
It promises to be a tightly contested championship, as eight golfers are tied for fifth place after returning 1–under 71, averaging five birdies each. They include six Ugandans—Deo Akope, Samuel Kato, Hussein Bagalana, Willy Deus Kitata, Phillip Kasozi, and Davis Kato, as well as Tanzanian Nuru Morell, Zambian Gabriel Chibale, and Ghanaian Vincent Torgah.
Defending champion Rwandan Celestine Nsanzuwera shot level 72 and is tied 14th alongside Malawian Paul Chidale, Nigerian Sunday Olapade, Zimbabwean Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, and three Kenyans: John Kagiri, Dismas Indiza, and Samuel Njoroge. Another tournament favourite, Grace Kasango, could not replicate his previous day’s performance that saw him hit a 66 during the Pro-Am. Despite hitting five birdies, he carded four double bogeys and two bogeys to finish with 5-over 77.
“I was affected by the slow pace of play; there were so many hold-ups, which affected my rhythm, but I hope to improve,” Kasango said. The event has attracted 115 golfers, including the top ten amateurs from last week’s amateur open.
Round one: Top ten & ties
Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 69
Fon Pristhy (CAM) 70
Ezekiel Afiasco (GHA) 70
Rodell Gaita (UG) 70
Deo Akope (UG) 71
Samuel Kato (UG) 71
Gabriel Chibale (ZAM) 71
Hussein Bagalana (UG) 71
Nuru Morell (TZ) 71
Willy D. Kitata (UG) 71
Phillip Kasozi (UG) 71
Davis Kato (UG) 71
Vincent Torgah (GHA) 71