2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Amateur Open Championship

Leaderboard after 36 holes (2 Rounds):

1 – Gilbert Chalwe (Zambia) – 74, 65 (139)

T2 – Dominic Musonda (Zambia) – 72, 68 (140)

Joseph Kasozi (Uganda) – 68, 72 (140)

4 – John Musiimenta (Uganda) – 70, 72 (142)

5 – Musamba Kapoma (Zambia) – 73, 72 (145)

The sunny weather during round two of the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Amateur Open championship in Kampala was met with mixed reactions from players.

Following a rain-laden opener that left the Kitante fairways and greens heavy, the subsequent round was dry, and the balls rolled.

Zambia’s Gilbert Chalwe, a member of Nkana Golf Club, played a bogey-free round with a 7-under-65 gross mark.

He registered 7 birdies and 11 pars during the sunny-day round that had 116 elite gross players in action.

“It was a great round,” Chalwe remarked. “I improved from 7 bogies on day one to 7 birdies during day two. I positioned myself to win the championship come the next two rounds,” the 22-year-old added.

Chalwe takes a slim one-stroke lead over country-mate Dominic Musonda, who was overall runners-up last year in Lugazi.

Day one leader Joseph Kasozi from Uganda played level par (72), and he is jointly tied for second with Musonda.

John Musiimenta (Uganda) is fourth with 142, and another Zambian, Musamba Kapoma (145), is fifth on the leaderboard.

Competitive Field

There is a competitive field following the leading pack with the likes of Peter Mayende, Samuel Bazaale, Joel Okot, Lawrence Walakira, Kenya’s Chrispine Owuor, Cosmos Ocitti, Isiaka Dunia (Tanzania), Reagan Akena, Ashvin Kananathan, Sande Lulet, Yassin Boyi, Ivan Ssekulima, Mackinon Masereka, Juma Abiti and Antony Otukei, all in the top 20 positions.

Defending champion Joseph Cwinya-ai has had a torrid opening round with 1-over-73 during round one and 6-over-78 on day two.

It is moving day on Wednesday, 27th August 2026, as the golfers approach the open for round three.

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With schools closed after a demanding three months of learning, Afriyea Golf Academy is giving children in Fort Portal city the chance to relax, exercise, learn and develop their golfing talents with the innovative GolfSixes format, adding a competitive edge to the holiday programme.

For many children, the school holiday is a time to put away the books, step away from the classroom and recharge after months of lessons, assignments and examinations.

In Fort Portal City, however, the break is also providing an opportunity to learn something new.

Afriyea Golf Academy has launched its Second Term School Holiday Golf Programme, designed to give children a healthy, engaging and exciting way to spend their holiday while introducing them to or helping them improve in the game of golf.

The programme began on 17 August and will run until 11 September, with sessions taking place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 12 pm at Toro Club in Fort Portal.

The academy says the programme has been created for children of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners picking up a golf club for the first time to young players looking to improve their technique and take their game further.

But there is something particularly special about this year’s holiday programme.

GolfSixes brings a new dimension

Children taking part are not simply receiving traditional golf coaching. AFRIYEA Golf Academy has incorporated the GolfSixes format into the programme, allowing youngsters to experience golf in a way that places a strong emphasis on inclusion, participation and competition.

GolfSixes is a junior-friendly format designed to make golf more accessible, engaging and enjoyable for young players.

Rather than focusing solely on individual performance, the format encourages children to participate, compete and experience the excitement of playing the game in a more dynamic environment.

For Afriyea Golf Academy, incorporating the format means children can develop their technical skills while also learning how to compete, work with others and enjoy the social side of golf.

It allows youngsters to put what they learn during coaching into practice in an environment where everyone gets a chance to participate.

The academy is grateful for the support and contribution of the Uganda Golf Union, The R&A, CPG and GolfSixes in helping create opportunities for children to experience this exciting approach to junior golf.

A break from the classroom and a chance to reset

After three months of continuous teaching and learning, Afriyea Golf Academy believes children need time away from the demands of the classroom to relax their minds and enjoy activities that stimulate them physically and mentally.

The academy believes that a tight school curriculum can place significant pressure on children, making school holidays an important period for them to unwind, reconnect with themselves and participate in activities outside the traditional classroom environment.

And sport can play an important role in that process.

Golf combines physical movement with concentration, patience, coordination and decision-making.

Being outdoors, exercising and interacting with other children provides a welcome change of environment while keeping young minds active.

Rather than spending the entire holiday indoors, children at the programme are being encouraged to get outside, move their bodies, learn new skills and enjoy the social side of sport.

Golf as therapy

For AFRIYEA Golf Academy, the programme is about much more than teaching children how to swing a club.

The academy sees sport as therapeutic and believes that giving children an opportunity to exercise and enjoy the open environment can contribute positively to their overall wellbeing.

Golf requires players to concentrate on each shot, control their emotions, assess situations and remain patient. Those lessons can extend beyond the golf course and into everyday life.

The programme therefore combines golf instruction with physical activity, allowing children to develop both their sporting abilities.

Coach George Kituku says the academy wants children to see golf as an enjoyable activity while also understanding the discipline, confidence and personal development that come with the sport.

“Our goal is not only to teach children how to play golf, but to give them a space where they can relax, exercise, make friends and discover what they are capable of. The holiday is an opportunity for children to step away from academic pressure and enjoy learning through sport,” said Kituku

Kituku adds that the introduction of GolfSixes makes the programme even more exciting for the young participants.

“With GolfSixes, the children are not just coming to practise and go home. They are learning to participate, compete and enjoy the game together. It gives every child an opportunity to be involved, regardless of their level, and that is very important for developing the next generation of golfers,” Kituku remarks.

From the first swing to competition

The programme caters for different levels of experience.

For beginners, the focus is on introducing the fundamentals of golf, learning how to hold the club, understanding the basic swing, developing coordination and becoming comfortable around the course.

For children who already play, the holiday programme provides an opportunity to work on technique, consistency and confidence.

Then comes the chance to compete.

Through GolfSixes, children can take the skills they have learned during training and experience the excitement of putting them into practice in a competitive but inclusive format.

That combination of learning, playing and competing can help children understand that golf is not simply about hitting the perfect shot. It is also about having fun, supporting teammates, managing pressure and learning as a team.

A young golfer discovers a passion

“I used to think golf was only for adults, but when I started playing I realised that it is fun and challenging. I like being outside with other children, and every time I practise I feel that I am getting better. I also like playing with other children because we can compete and encourage each other. I want to continue learning and become a very good golfer,” Agaba Peter Trevor -golf student.

His experience reflects the wider ambition of the programme to make golf feel accessible to children and show them that the sport can be both enjoyable and competitive.

Fort Portal’s next generation takes to the fairways

Fort Portal has no shortage of young sporting talent, and initiatives such as the Afriyea Golf Academy holiday programme are creating opportunities for children to discover sports they may otherwise never have experienced.

The academy hopes the programme will help widen participation in golf and encourage more young people to consider the sport as a pathway for recreation, personal development and, potentially, competitive achievement.

The beauty of the programme is that children do not need to arrive as accomplished golfers.

They simply need the willingness to learn.

For a beginner, the first successful swing can be a major achievement. For an experienced junior golfer, improving a particular aspect of their technique or performing well in a GolfSixes competition can provide a different kind of satisfaction.

Either way, the objective remains the same:

Learn. Play. Compete. Enjoy.

A different kind of classroom

With the school gates temporarily closed, Toro Club has become a different kind of classroom for the children taking part.

The post Afriyea Golf Academy tees off new holiday opportunity for Fort Portal young golfers appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Team North appeared headed for another runaway victory after racing to a commanding lead, only to find itself fighting for every point down the stretch before escaping with a crucial 7-5 victory over South in the Foursomes on Day 2 of the ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Championship at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday.

What looked like another North romp quickly turned into a test of nerve.

North surged to an imposing 8-4 lead midway through the alternate-shot format, with its depth once again on full display. But South refused to fold, launching a spirited comeback that steadily chipped away at the deficit and turned what had appeared to be a one-sided affair into a gripping finish.

The hosts produced a string of clutch performances in the closing matches. With momentum firmly on their side, South pulled within striking distance at 4-6 and needed only to win the final two matches to salvage a dramatic overall draw for the day.

North, however, held its nerve when the pressure peaked.

Jakob Taruc and Nathan Belandres battled back from three holes down to force Clement Ordeneza and Sebastian Sajuela into an all-square finish, while Mona Sarines and Kendra Garingalao likewise halved their match against Tashanah Balanguan and Precious Zaragosa. Both matches were in the 15-18 division.

Those two halves proved decisive.

Instead of completing the comeback, South was forced to settle for a split of the final two points, leaving North with a 7-5 victory and, more importantly, preserving its advantage heading into Thursday’s deciding singles matches.

North consequently stretched its overnight three-point cushion to five points, 14 1/2-9 1/2, putting itself in a strong position heading into the final stage of the North-South duel.

But the scoreline hardly told the whole story.

The day was marked by wild swings in momentum, lopsided results and matches that went down to the wire. North controlled the early stages and seemed poised to bury the hosts under another avalanche of points. South responded with the urgency of a team with its back against the wall, winning key matches and capitalizing on North’s inability to close out the final stretch.

By the time the last few matches came around, the complexion of the competition had changed completely.

North team captain Joey Anciano said his side’s comeback in the boys’ 15-18 category was crucial in salvaging a draw and making for an exciting day of matches.

“We came from 3-down in the boys’ 15-18 to force a draw. So definitely, the matches today were very, very exciting. Kudos to the other team also, which put up the lineup well,” said Anciano.

Asked what went according to plan and what did not, Anciano pointed to the two all-square matches as a major turning point.

“The two all-square matches were very crucial for us. That gave us a 7-5 win today. So it was unexpected, but we’re very fortunate to have that win. Credit to the players for putting their heart out,” he said.

Anciano admitted that the team’s original goal was simply to avoid falling behind in the highly unpredictable alternate-shot format.

“Actually, the plan was, at the very least, we get 6-6 today because alternate is a very, very hard format. That makes it very, very unpredictable. So we’re very fortunate that we saved an all-square for the two matches to have a two-point lead today,” he added.

With the deciding singles matches up next, Anciano vowed that North would go all-out in its bid to secure the overall victory.

“We hope that the first seven to 10 matches would be in our favor, so we can win the tournament,” he said.

For South team captain Boyet Zaragosa, the biggest setback came in the boys’ 15-18 category, where his team squandered a big lead late in the match.

(C) JPGT

Zaragosa rued the collapse but remained encouraged by the overall performance of his players.

“What failed for us was the boys’ 15-18. We were 3-up going into the last four holes, but they managed to tie the match. Overall, it was a good lineup,” said Zaragosa in Filipino.

Despite South trailing by five points heading into the deciding singles, Zaragosa remained defiant.

“We’ll fight tomorrow,” he said.

He acknowledged, however, that South would need to overcome a difficult matchup in the 7-10 category.

“We’re a bit down in the 7-10 category, but we still have a chance in the other matches,” he added.

Zaragosa also stressed that the singles matches could hinge on momentum, making the final day difficult to predict.

“Actually, it’s difficult to match up because all of them (North) are very good. But it still depends on who gets off to a good start because in match play, it’s more about momentum. But it will be exciting,” he said.

South had erased much of North’s early advantage and was threatening to turn the entire day around. North needed composure more than brilliance.

And that was exactly what it delivered.

The two late all-square finishes denied South the sweep it needed in the girls’ premier category and allowed North to walk away with another crucial victory—one secured not through domination, but through resilience when its early advantage had nearly disappeared.

The result underscored the competitive nature of the North-South showdown, with neither side willing to give ground despite North’s early control and South repeatedly threatening to close the gap.

Like on Day 1, North came out firing, winning four of the first five matches, including a sweep of the boys’ 11-14 division. But South showed its resilience in the boys’ 7-10 class, where Stephen Clementer and Ethan Lago produced a dramatic late comeback to edge Zach Guico and Kingston Ching, 1-up, on No. 18.

Lago blasted brilliantly from the greenside bunker to within pin length, and Clementer calmly converted the putt to snatch the victory, drawing loud cheers from the home gallery.

Zoji Edoc and Kenzo Tan answered for North in the other boys’ 7-10 match, repulsing Lucas Revilleza and Darren Ong, 3&1, while Javie Bautista and Jacob Casuga rebounded strongly from their Four-ball setback with a 5&4 rout of Jared Saban and Ken Guillermo. Chan Ahn and Vito Sarines also routed Ralph Batican and Mico Woo, 6&4, in the boys’ 11-14 division.

North likewise continued to flex its strength in the girls’ divisions. Jaicee Cervantes and Andrea Dee made it two straight wins with a 2&1 decision over Vanya Go and Soleil Molde.

South, however, responded with another clutch performance as Akeisha Yocte and Blake Aguilar pulled ahead late to stun Winter Serapio and Jehanne Mendoza, 2&1, in a finish that drew another round of applause from the gallery.

The visitors also strengthened their advantage in the boys’ 15-18 division, where Shin Suzuki and Santi Asuncion remained perfect as a partnership after a 4&3 romp over Alexis Nailga and Roman Tiongko. Cailey Gonzales and Georgina Handog added another North point in the girls’ 11-14 division, edging Brittany Tamayo and Rafella Batican, 1-up, in another thriller.

At that stage, North appeared firmly in control.

But South saved its best for the stretch run, winning crucial matches before North fought back to secure draws in the premier division.

Zuri Bacaloyos and Marqaela Dy hacked out a hard-fought 2-up victory over Mavis Espedido and Quincy Pilac in the girls’ 11-14 division, preserving their perfect 2-0 record in the series. Apple Gotiong and Lois Lane Go capped the South rally with a convincing 5&3 triumph over Lisa Sarines and Rafa Anciano, bouncing back from their Four-ball loss.

The result also added another layer to an increasingly familiar North-South pattern.

Last year, North carried an identical 14 1/2-9 1/2 advantage after the opening two team formats before taking control in the Singles and winning 26 1/2-21 1/2 at The Country Club. North captured 11 of the 24 singles matches and halved two others on the way to the convincing overall victory.

This year’s North side now has another five-point lead to protect—but South has already shown that the gap is anything but safe.

With the hosts refusing to surrender and momentum capable of shifting with every match, the stage is set for another fiercely contested Singles finale.

For North, the task is simple: protect the lead.

For South, the challenge is even clearer: turn another comeback into a complete turnaround.

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