Chandinga, Nayiga reign supreme at National Pool Open

Caesar Chandinga and Rukiya Nayiga are the champions of the Nile Special National Open after seeing off a strong field in the grand finale on Saturday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala. 

Chandinga defeated Azali 'Hazard' Lukomwa 9-5 while Nayiga defeated her sister Rasheeda Mutesi by speed shooting to determine the winner after the shot clock ran out with the match tied at 5-5.  

The fastest player ended up winning the car. The two winners drove away with a Toyota Mark X (men) and a Raum (women). The women's winner gets sh5m and the women's winner receives sh3m. 

Chandinga became the first player based in northern Uganda to win the Open and thanked many people for making this a reality. Anything less than victory was going to be an upset. 

Rukia Naiga in the car (Toyota Raum) she won in the 2023 Nile Special Open Pool Championship on November 11, 2023. (Photo: Silvano Kibuuka)

He defeated Lukomwa to secure what has been an elusive title for those who aren't based in Kampala.  

Chandinga had earlier dispatched former champion Jonan Turigye, Rashid Wagaba and Yuda Ssembusi en route to the finale.  

The Pool Association of Uganda chairman, Bob Trubish, was happy he was able to deliver a great championship for all those involved.  

"Thanks so much team for all the contribution towards pool this year and thanks to Nile Breweries. Thank you for coming in big numbers for the finale. Congratulations to Ceasar and Lukia and thanks to my exco team for the great work."  

For now, it is all about celebrating the two.