The stage is set, the cues are polished, and the tension is palpable, 160 of Uganda’s finest pool players are gearing up for the grand finale of the Nile Special National Pool Open Championship (NSNOPC) 2025.
The action kicks off at Lugogo Indoor Stadium on December 21, with tickets priced at Shs25,000 for ordinary admission and Shs50,000 for VIP access.
This year’s tournament promises fireworks as former champions and rising stars collide in a battle for one of the country’s most coveted pool titles. At the center of the spotlight is Jonan “The Joker” Turigye, the inaugural NSNOPC champion from 2010. Known for his flair and consistency, Turigye also made history in 2013 by winning the tournament’s first-ever car prize. After securing his spot in the 2025 finals at the Koma Gardens regional qualifier, “The Joker” returns hungry to reclaim the crown he first lifted 15 years ago.
But Turigye faces stiff competition. Modern-day heavyweights include Ceasar Chandiga, the 2023 champion, and Mansoor Bwanika, the defending champion from 2024, whose dominance makes him the favorite heading into the finals.
Adding even more intrigue is Amos Ndyagumanawe, the 2015 national champion, and Alfred “Blacksheep” Gumikiriza, the 2012 champion, staging a comeback.
The men’s draw features 128 players battling for national glory, while the women’s competition promises equal excitement, with 32 of the country’s best vying for the title.
Defending women’s champion Sheila Kisakye faces a tough lineup, including former titleholders Ritah Nimusiima (2018) and Rukia Naiga (2023), as well as stars like Rashida Mutesi “Kikadde,” Amina Faith Nganda, and Mbale’s own Zaimat Nabafu.
Yet, the road to Lugogo has not been without heartbreak. Former Uganda Pool Cranes captain Habib Ssebuguzi, one of the sport’s most recognizable figures, will be absent after an early exit at iTaano Pool Arena in Mukono, falling to Julius Ssemanda.
Drama also unfolded in Wandegeya, where Lawrence Ssengonge was initially eliminated at Casablanca Pool Club, though his conqueror, Bruno Kabuga, was later disqualified for double registration.
As the nation awaits, the NSNOPC 2025 promises a spectacle of legendary comebacks, fierce rivalries, and high-stakes drama, where champions defend, challengers rise, and dreams are made, or shattered, under the bright lights of Uganda’s premier pool stage.
