Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo and Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade are locked at the top of the leaderboard after two rounds of the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open at Uganda Golf Club.
Rugumayo, who led after Wednesday’s opening round, carded a one-over 70 on Thursday to reach five-under-par 139 for the championship. He was joined at the summit by Olapade, who produced one of the day’s standout performances with a brilliant 67.
Olapade made a flying start, opening his round with back-to-back eagles to immediately put himself in contention. Although he dropped shots on the 14th and 16th holes, his decision to take the driver out of play in favour of a three-wood helped him maintain control and stay within striking distance.
Rugumayo, meanwhile, looked set to retain sole possession of the lead after reaching the turn at four-under for the day. He added an eagle on the 13th, but a costly double-bogey on the 15th and another on the 18th allowed Olapade to draw level.
The 18th has proved particularly troublesome for Rugumayo, who has played it three-over-par across the opening two rounds. His finish on Thursday was especially painful after he missed the fairway, duffed his second shot, failed to get up and down with his chip and then three-putted.
With two rounds still to play, however, Rugumayo remains firmly in the hunt for the title.
Philip Kasozi is just one shot off the pace after a composed 69 lifted him to 140, while Kenya’s record Uganda Open winner Dismas Indiza is another stroke back following a second-round 69.
Defending champion Celestin Nsanzuwera is tied for ninth and remains within reach of the leaders as the tournament heads into its decisive weekend.
Thursday also produced a rare spectacle at Uganda Golf Club, with two players recording hole-in-ones on the same day.
Henry Lujja struck the first ace in the morning on the short par-three fourth hole. The shot helped him to a level-par round, although it was not enough to carry him through the cut.
Later in the afternoon, 2024 champion Dayne Moore matched the feat on the 17th hole with an equally spectacular ace.
Moore’s hole-in-one was particularly sweet given his struggles on the same hole a day earlier, when he dropped two shots. With his position on the cut line becoming increasingly precarious, the perfectly judged shot into the difficult pin provided a much-needed boost and helped settle his nerves.
For Herman Mutaawe, the second round ended in heartbreak.
Needing a strong finish to secure his place in the final two rounds, Mutaawe suffered an inexplicable triple-bogey on the 18th, a result that ended his hopes of making the cut.
His misfortune opened the door for Nigerian Andrew Odoh and Uganda’s Abbey Bagalana, who squeezed through to Friday’s round by the narrowest of margins.
A total of 12 Ugandans, including amateur golfer John Musimenta, survived the cut and will contest the final two rounds. None of the five ladies who entered the championship, however, made the cut.
With the leaderboard tightly packed at the halfway stage, the final two rounds promise a tense battle for the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open title. The Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship is supported by ABSA Bank, Aquafina, Medisell, Finaltus, Case Hospital, MTN, National Council of Sports, NBS, Pearl Marina, Rosefoam, Uganda Airlines, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Golf Club, TotalEnergies and The R&A.
