Chandiga and Naiga dominate CueMasters International Pool Carnival

Uganda’s top cueists, Ceasar Chandiga popularly known as Da Scorpion, and Rukia Naiga reaffirmed their growing dominance on the African pool circuit after storming to victory at the 2nd Edition of the CueMasters International Pool Carnival in Arusha, Tanzania.

The gripping four-day showdown concluded on December 8, 2025.

Chandiga delivered another statement performance in the men’s singles final, outlasting Tanzania’s home favorite Abdullah Miraj, also known as Mbongo, 11–7.

The contest swung dramatically from early momentum to a tense deadlock before the Ugandan star unleashed a ruthless final surge to seal the win.

The victory adds to Chandiga’s remarkable run this year, which already includes his triumph at the Billiards Café Pool Competition in Lusaka in October and his earlier success at the Commonwealth Billiard Competition, where he lifted the Heyball title.

Naiga was equally commanding in the women’s singles, overpowering compatriot Amina Faith Nganda 11–1 in an all-Ugandan final.

Her latest win further cements her status as the continent’s standout female cueist, coming just weeks after she captured the women’s singles crown at the Ultimate Pool Championships in South Africa.

Uganda’s Julie Namuhanga secured third place in the women’s category, while Kenya’s Penninal Njoki finished fourth, underscoring East Africa’s growing depth of talent. Zambia’s Royd Kabwe, the defending champion from the inaugural CueMasters edition, fell in the quarterfinals this time.

The men’s final unfolded as a riveting exchange of mini-surges. Chandiga raced ahead 3–0, Miraj leveled at 3–3, and both players traded bursts until they were locked at 6–6.

Chandiga then pulled away with two frames to lead 8–6. Although Miraj clawed one back, the momentum had shifted, and Chandiga silenced the Tanzanian crowd by sweeping the remaining frames to clinch the title 11–7.

In the team event, Tanzania’s Team Snipers thrilled the home fans by lifting the category’s top honors.

Attention now turns to Uganda’s Nile Special National Open Championship at Lugogo Indoor Stadium on December 21, where more than 200 elite pool players will battle for national supremacy.

Defending champions Mansoor Bwanika and Sheila Kisakye are expected to face one of the strongest fields in recent years, setting the stage for another blockbuster finale to Uganda’s pool season.