By KT Reporter
2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Golf Open
Overall Winner: Joseph Cwinya-ai (Uganda) – 67, 68, 72, 67 (274)
Runners Up: Dominic Musonda (Zambia) – 65, 69, 71, 72 (277)
Uganda Golf National Team captain Joseph Cwinya-ai is the champion of the 84th edition of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Amateur Open championship.
L-R: Dr Jackson Were (President of Uganda Golf Union), Joseph Cwinya-ai and UBL official Francis Kirabira in Lugazi | Credit: Don Mugabi
Cwinya-ai tallied 10-under-274 in four gruelling rounds played at the par-71 Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club course.
The aggressive long-hitter trailed in the first three rounds to Zambia’s sensational Dominic Musonda, who led the opening 54 holes until the last round.
Joseph Cwinyaai smiles with the trophy | Credit: Don Mugabi
A member of Tooro and Uganda Golf Clubs, Cwinya-ai carded 4-under 67 during the first round. He had 3-under 68 for round two, 1-over 72 in the third round and played 4-under 67 again during the final round.
“I am so happy for this victory,” Cwinya-ai spoke of his second national amateur victory since 2021.
An excited Joseph Cwinya-ai after holing out on hole 18 | Credit: Don Mugabi
Joseph Cwinyaai and the caddie Hadijah Nampijja | Credit: Don Mugabi
“From the first day, I had the belief that I would smile to the podium. I thank my caddie, entire management and sponsors for the support,” Cwinya-ai added.
Nkana Golf Club member Dominic Musonda from Zambia finished runner-up with 7-under 277 gross over four rounds (65, 69, 71 and 72).
Musonda hailed the level of competition throughout the championship as he congratulated the winner.
“It was a great event here in Uganda. I led from the first round until day three. I congratulate the champion. I was unfortunate with the referee’s ruling on hole 10 who ruled an out-of-bounds ball for me that completely disorganised me on the final day,” the 22-year-old Zambian remarked.
Crowning ceremony of Joseph Cwinya-ai on hole 8 at Lugazi Hills and Country Club | Credit: Don Mugabi
Abdul Kakeeto and Anthony Otukei tied for third place with 287 apiece. 2024 champion Joseph Reagan Akena completed in 5th place with 288.
Derrick Musana (289), Rogers Eyoyo (291), Godfrey Kambale (292), Ibrahim Ssemakula (292), Peter Tumusiime (295) and Peter Mayende (295) were all in the top 11 positions.
Focus switches to the Professional Open, teeing off on Wednesday, 10th to 13th September 2025 at the same venue in Lugazi.
The Pro-Am will happen on Tuesday, 9th September 2025.
The previous weeks have witnessed action in the Seniors and Ladies Opens which are part of the main Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open series.
In the history of the Uganda Golf Open series, this is the first championship to be held outside Kampala and Entebbe.
Cast of Amateur Category Winners since 1932
1932 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1933 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1934 – R.W Hooker (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1935 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Club)
1936 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Clun)
1937 – H. Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1938 – R.W Bun (Mombasa Golf Club)
1939 – J.E Higginson
1940 – 1947 – NOT HELD
1948 – D. F Stewart (Uganda Golf Club)
1949 – A.Q Roberts (Kitale Golf Club)
1950 – N.C Elwell (Uganda Golf Club)
1951 – N.C Elwell (Mwanza Golf Club)
1952 – J.R Cooke (Uganda Golf Club)
1953 – R.W Hooper (Nairobi Golf Club)
1954 – M.Johnson (Kabalae Golf Club)
1955 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1956 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1957 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1958 – Brian Malone (Uganda Golf Club)
1959 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1960 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1961 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1962 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1963 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1964 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1965 – Muhammed Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1966 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1967 – I.Pattinson (Dar es Salaam Golf Club)
1968 – G.Burrows (Uganda Golf Club)
1969 – M.Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1970 – M.Couma (Uganda Golf Club)
1971 – J. Kahugu (Sigona Golf Club)
1972 – Ben Okello (Masaka Golf Club)
1973 – Tom Taban (Uganda Golf Club)
1974 – Alex Okodan (Uganda Golf Club)
1975 – Ramathan Kayamba (Uganda Golf Club)
1976 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1977 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1978 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1979 – 1980 – NOT HELD
1981 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1982 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1983 – Sadi Onito (Uganda Golf Club)
1984 – John Mucheru (Uganda Golf Club)
1985 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1986 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1987 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1988 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1989 – Allan Njoroge (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1990– Dedan Kagonyera (Kabale Golf Club)
1991 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1992 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1993 – John Gavin (Uganda Golf Club)
1994 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1995 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1996 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1997 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1998 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1999 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
2000 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2001 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2002 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2003 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2004 – David Odhiambo (Nyanza Golf Club)
2005 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2006 – Amos Kamya (Entebbe Golf Club)
2007 – Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga Golf Club)
2008 – George Olayo (Entebbe Golf Club)
2009 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
2011 – Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2014 – Willy Deus Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2015 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2016 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017 – Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2018 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2019 – Daniel Nduva (Nyali Golf and Country Club)
2020 – John Lejirma (Kenya Railway Golf Club)
2021 – Joseph Cwinya-ai (Tooro Golf Club)
2022 – Andrew Ssekibejja (Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Club)
2023 – Godfrey Nsubuga (Mehta Golf Club & Uganda Golf Club)
2024 – Joseph Reagan Akena (Lugazi Hills and Country Club)
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