Tanzania’s Neema Olomi is the Day One leader of the Ladies Open at the 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship, currently underway at the par-71 Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.
Olomi, handicap 2, a member of Arusha Gymkhana Golf Club, and famous for having won the Ladies Open in dramatic fashion in 2018, carried day one of the Ladies Open, after returning a gross score of 73.
Olomi got off to a strong start, opening with a birdie at the par-4 hole 1. She went ahead and birdied the par-5 hole 7, the par-3 hole 15, and the par-4 hole 18.
With the Lugazi course playing long, Olomi, a hard-hitter known for her powerful drives, was able to leverage her strength to maintain control and set the pace early in the tournament.
“I’m happy to be the leader of day one. I didn’t find the course difficult. I’m used to playing long balls, so this was a perfect course for me,” she said.
Uganda’s top contender, three-time champion- Martha Babirye, playing off handicap 6, who won the Pearl of Africa Series on the same course last month, came second with 77.
Kenya’s Mercy Nyanchama, handicap 6, from Vet Lab Sports Club, was behind Babirye by one stroke. The East African trio forms today’s pressure group.
According to Babirye, she has no problem doing the chasing; “I’ve been in this position before, and I know how to handle the pressure. I just need to stay focused and play my game,” she said.
Playing on her home course, national team star, Winnie Musuya (80) is tied for fourth with Kenya’s Ashley Owor. Lillian Koowe sits in sixth place with a score of 82.
Christine Kyokunda, the Johnnie Walker Brand Manager, says the tournament is a testament to the growing impact of women in golf and the brand’s commitment to supporting inclusivity in sport.
“The Ladies Open tournament is a very special week to us as a brand. We get to shine the spotlight on women golfers who continue to break boundaries and inspire the next generation,” Kyokunda said.
She added that: “During the 19th hole experience on Saturday, we will not only host the grand finale of the 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open, but also an unforgettable She Walks Sip Over celebration.”
The 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship is sponsored by Absa Bank Uganda, Aquafina, Isuzu Mac East Africa, Uganda Tourism Board, Medisell Uganda, NBS sports, and MTN MoMo.
