Zambian Chalwe shoots to the top of the Uganda Golf Open
The South Africa-based Chalwe, currently attached to the Royal Johannesburg Club but also a member of the Nkana Golf Club back home, enjoyed a bogey-free round laced with 7 birdies to shoot atop the leaderboard with 36 holes left to play.
Dominic Musonda is eager to win it this time. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Zambian Gilbert Chalwe carded a second-round 7-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Golf Open raged on at the Kitante course on Wednesday.
The South Africa-based Chalwe, currently attached to the Royal Johannesburg Club but also a member of the Nkana Golf Club back home, enjoyed a bogey-free round laced with 7 birdies to shoot atop the leaderboard with 36 holes left to play.
Out of the top ten after the opening round, Chalwe is now one stroke ahead of compatriot Dominic Musonda, who shot 4-under 68 to also jump from fifth to second after the two days of action. Musonda is now tied for second with overnight leader Ugandan Joseph Kasozi, who shot 72 in the second round.
Zambian golfer Gilbert Chalwe (right) and his caddie plan their approach on the 17th tee during the second round of the Uganda Open at Kitante, August 26, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Balderstone Sports Institute’s Chalwe, 22, who plays off handicap +3.0 and is playing in his first competition in Uganda, is now praying for the same dry conditions in the remaining rounds to give himself a chance of adding to his Botswana win of about a year ago.
“This game isn't about perfection, you know. There's always room for improvement. Mentally, I felt I doubted myself on some shots and didn't fully commit. Those are the areas I need to work on. As for the scores, whether I can do another 7 tomorrow, I honestly don't know. I'm just going to play my own game and accept whatever result comes my way,” Chalwe said.
Joseph Kasozi remains a strong contender for Uganda going into the third round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Kasozi, who led after the opening round, could not replicate his day-one heroics after encountering bogeys on holes 2, 7, and 9 and a double bogey on the par-4 10, though he finished level.
He had promised to replicate his opening 4-under 68, but it wasn’t to be; he remains a strong contender, a stroke away from the leader. Another Ugandan, John Musiimenta, is fourth, three strokes away, going into the third round. Musiimenta was also hampered by three bogeys on holes 2, 6, and 7 as well as a double on the par-5 5 before the turn. But five birdies in the round were good enough to keep him in contention.
Nkana Golf Club’s Dominic Musonda, 22, who was runner-up in last year’s event to Ugandan Joseph Cwinyaai and is trailing by one stroke, is also determined to win it this time.
“Last year, I was playing with the goal of winning, but it didn't happen. That was definitely a learning experience. For this tournament, though, my aim is simply to concentrate on my own game. After that, we'll just have to see how things unfold,” Musonda, a mechanical engineering student, said.
“But I can tell you, my friends and I are definitely going to give it our all to win this. I've got my two friends, Gilbert and Musamba, with me. They're both really good golfers too. Actually, they're some of the players I'm a bit nervous about in this competition.”
Round 2: Top ten & ties
Gilbert Chalwe (ZAM) 74 65 139
Dominic Musonda (ZAM) 72 68 140
Joseph Kasozi (UG) 68 72 140
John Musiimenta (UG) 70 72 142
Musamba Kapoma (ZAM) 73 72 145
Peter Mayende (UG) 76 72 148
Joel Okoth (UG) 75 73 148
Lawrence Walakira (UG) 71 77 149
Chrispine Owuor (KEN) 77 72 149
Cosmas Ocitti (UG) 76 73 149
Isiaka Dunia (TZ) 75 74 149
Reagan Akena (UG) 75 74 149
Ashvin Kananathan (UG) 75 74 149