KAMPALA, Uganda — The Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) ushered in a new era on Saturday as Gideon Onyango assumed leadership of the governing body, succeeding long-serving chairman Bob Trubish after a landmark Annual General Meeting that signaled both continuity and change for the sport.
Held at Holiday Express Hotel in Kampala, the AGM formally ended Trubish’s eight-year tenure and completed a peaceful transfer of power to a new executive, with delegates from across Uganda gathering in line with the National Council of Sports (NCS) Sports Act.
The nationwide representation underscored PAU’s efforts to strengthen governance, transparency and inclusivity as it charts a new course.
The symbolic handover marked the close of a transformative chapter under Trubish, whose stewardship coincided with significant growth in the sport.
In an emotional farewell address, he reflected on a journey that began as a pool umpire before evolving into club patron and eventually chairman of the national association.
“I started this journey as an umpire before becoming a club funder and later chairman. I have contributed to this sport in different capacities and I am proud of the journey,” Trubish said.
Although stepping away from the helm, the outgoing chairman hinted that his departure from administration may not be permanent.
“I will observe how the new executive runs pool. When I find it right to return to administration, I will return. Mind you, I have never lost a pool election,” he said.
Widely regarded within Uganda’s pool fraternity as one of the sport’s key benefactors, Trubish leaves office having played a central role in financing and promoting the game’s development during his time in leadership.
His successor, Onyango, pledged to build on those foundations by overhauling the association’s structures and broadening the sport’s reach beyond the capital.
He identified restructuring the national league as his administration’s immediate priority, arguing that the current competition falls short of the standards expected of a truly national championship.
“We only need to make structures work and the future will be great for pool. We have many plans, but restructuring the league to fit the NCS requirements as a national league is key. The current league looks more like a Kampala league,” Onyango said.
His administration also inherits the challenge of expanding grassroots development, increasing participation across the country and creating a sustainable pathway for emerging players as Uganda seeks to professionalize the sport.
The leadership transition comes at a significant moment for PAU after the association emerged among the 10 sports federations approved by the National Council of Sports without objection, confirming its compliance with Uganda’s current sports governance framework.
NCS Pool Liaison Officer Ivan Niwamanya congratulated the association on the orderly transition while urging members to maintain unity and resolve internal disputes away from public scrutiny.
“I want everyone of you to work in the interest of the sport. In case of any disagreements, sort them internally. Don’t display your dirty linen in public,” he said, adding that the new executive should also address governance issues that have generated debate within the association in recent years.
The new leadership has little time to settle in.
Its first major assignment will be organizing next month’s National Open while simultaneously implementing reforms designed to strengthen league structures, widen national participation and elevate pool’s profile as a professionally managed sport in Uganda.
