Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo has taken the early lead at the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals’ Golf Open after carding a three-under-par 69 in Wednesday’s opening round at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.
Rugumayo, competing in a field of 116 professionals, produced six birdies, nine pars and three bogeys to finish one shot clear of Cameroon’s Fon Pristhy, Ghana’s Ezekiel Afisco and fellow Ugandan Tadeo Rodell Gaita, who are tied on two-under 70.
The Ugandan matched Uganda Professional Golfers Association president Davis Kato for the highest number of birdies on the opening day.
“It was a good round, and I’m happy for the opening round,” Rugumayo said after completing his round.
A group of players, including Ugandans Deo Akope, Samuel Kato, Hussein Bagalana, Willy Deus Kitata, Phillip Kasozi and Davis Kato, are tied on one-under 71.
They are joined by Zambia’s Gabriel Chibale, Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel and Cameroon’s Vincent Torgah.
Another eight players are tied on level-par 72, including Sunday Olapade, Dennis Anguyo, Paul Chidale, John Kagiri, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Dismas Indiza, Celestine Nsanzuwera and Samuel Njoroge.
The opening round produced 16 eagles and 259 birdies among the 115 professionals who completed their rounds. Rwanda’s Aloys Nsabimana withdrew after 11 holes.
Five women professionals also featured, with Evah Magala and Flavia Namakula posting the best scores among them at 78. Irene Nakalembe carded 80, Angel Eaton 82, while Nigeria’s Cynthia Maurice finished on 84.
The professionals return to action on Thursday for the second round, which will take the tournament to the 36-hole stage and determine who makes the cut for the final two rounds.
Rugumayo will start the second round with a narrow one-shot advantage, but with a congested leaderboard behind him, the Ugandan will have little room for error as the battle for the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open title intensifies.
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