From Lugogo to Lusaka: Chandiga dominates African Pool in 2025

Uganda’s pool sensation Caesar Chandiga, famously known as “Da Scorpion,” has etched his name into African sporting history after becoming the first African pool player to win four major continental and international titles in a single year.

Chandiga sealed the milestone in Zambia after clinching the second edition of the Patriarch’s Pool Tournament (PPT), a high‑stakes two‑day event organized by Prophet Emmanuel Makadhiwa.

The tournament, one of the biggest on the African pool circuit, carried a prize purse of USD 15,000, with USD 6,000 awarded to the champion.

In a tense grand final played under a hushed, pressure‑filled atmosphere, Chandiga overcame Zambia’s top cueist Kelvin Fikot with a commanding 9‑5 victory in a race‑to‑nine showdown. The win capped an unforgettable year for the Ugandan star and sent spectators into rapturous applause.

Fikot had sparked early hopes by racing to a 4‑1 lead within the opening 17 minutes. But Chandiga’s trademark precision, calm execution, and tactical brilliance saw him claw back to level at 5‑5 before taking complete control and closing out the contest. Fikot settled for USD 4,000, while South Africa’s Eden Joseph earned USD 2,000 for third place. Uganda’s Joseph Kasozi finished fourth, walking away with USD 1,000, as the remaining semifinalists each received USD 500.

A Continental Showcase

The tournament attracted more than 32 elite African pool players from Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Tanzania. Among the notable names were South Africans Jeremiah Green Naidoo and Eden Joseph, Uganda’s Ibra Sejjemba, Joseph Kasozi, Ibrahim Kayanja, and Ian Kazibwe, Zambia’s Kelvin Fikot, and Malawi’s Grieven Stanford—underscoring the growing competitiveness of pool across the continent.

From Lugogo to Lusaka

Chandiga’s triumph in Zambia came just a day after reclaiming the 2025 Nile Special National Pool Open Championship (NSNOPC) at Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala. He defeated teammate and close friend Rashid Wagaba by the same 9‑5 scoreline. In the women’s category, Rahidah Mutesi claimed the title after overcoming defending champion Marion Kisakye.

The Lugogo victory added to Chandiga’s domestic legacy, having previously won the 2023 NSNOPC, where he defeated Azali Lukomwa in the men’s final. Winners of the NSNOPC annually walk away with a car, cash prizes, medals, and trophies, underlining the event’s prestige.

Flying Uganda’s Flag Globally

Earlier in July 2025, Chandiga delivered another defining moment for Ugandan sport by winning gold at the 2025 Commonwealth Billiards Games in Mauritius. He edged India’s Shivam Arora in a gripping 9‑7 final, securing Uganda’s historic gold medal in the men’s category.

Uganda’s medal haul was further boosted by Joseph Kasozi, who earned silver in the Backball category, while Rukia Naiga and Marion Kisakye claimed bronze medals in the women’s Heyball and Blackball events respectively.

A Year of Success

Chandiga’s golden run also included victory at the Billiard Café Classic Double Life Championship in Zambia, where he dominated South Africa’s Jerry Naidoo with a 13‑5 win, and triumph at the CueMasters Double Life Championship in Arusha, Tanzania in November.

With four major titles in one year, Chandiga has not only rewritten African pool history but also firmly established Uganda as a rising powerhouse in cue sports.

For “Da Scorpion,” 2025 will forever be remembered as the year he and Uganda conquered Africa and beyond in the sport of pool.