Lugogo set for blockbuster Nile Special National Pool Open finale

The stage is set at Lugogo Indoor Stadium for a blockbuster finale as Uganda’s finest cue artists converge for the grand climax of the Nile Special National Pool Open Championship (NSNOPC) on December 21, 2025.

All eyes will be on the tables as former champions, seasoned veterans, and rising challengers prepare for one of the country’s most prestigious pool tournaments.

Leading the list of returning royalty is Jonan Turigye, famously known as “The Joker.” The inaugural NSNOPC champion from 2010 is back, determined to reclaim the crown he first lifted 15 years ago.

Turigye further etched his name into tournament folklore by winning the first-ever car prize in 2013, and his remarkable consistency continues to mark him as a major force in Ugandan pool. He sealed his place at the 2025 finals through the Koma Gardens regional qualifier and now heads into Lugogo ready to face a loaded field of elite young challengers.

Standing in his path are modern-day heavyweights, including 2023 champion Ceasar Chandiga and Mansoor Bwanika, the 2022 and 2024 winner who returns as defending champion and favourite.

Adding further spice to the men’s draw is the return of Alfred Gumikiriza, better known as “Blacksheep.” The 2012 champion qualified as Busia’s second-best player, marking a comeback after missing last year’s qualifiers.

In total, 128 men from across the country will battle for national glory, while the women’s competition promises equal fireworks with 32 players contesting the title. Defending women’s champion Sheila Kisakye faces a fierce lineup that includes former champions Ritah Nimusiima (2018) and Rukia Naiga (2023), alongside experienced stars such as Rashida Mutesi “Kikadde,” Amina Faith Nganda, and Mbale’s pride, Zaimat Nabafu.

Amid the excitement, the 2025 qualifiers also delivered heartbreak. Former Uganda Pool Cranes captain Habib Ssebuguzi, one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, will be a notable absentee after failing to qualify. His campaign ended at iTaano Pool Arena in Mukono, where he was knocked out by Julius Ssemanda.

There was further drama in Wandegeya, where Lawrence Ssengonge was eliminated at Casablanca Pool Club. However, he was later reinstated after his conqueror Bruno Kabuga, who had initially qualified, was disqualified for double registration and struck off the final list.

As Lugogo braces for a thrilling climax, the NSNOPC promises a blend of nostalgia, rivalry, and high-stakes drama with legends returning, champions defending, and dreams either reborn or shattered under the bright lights of Uganda’s biggest pool stage.