Rising stars steal show in Nile Special Pool Open qualifiers
In Masaka, Ramecca Mugwanya stunned home favourite and top seed Henry Mbabaali with an emphatic 5–2 victory, earning his first-ever ticket to the national showdown.
Henry Mbabaali sealed his fourth consecutive Lugogo final after a solid second-place finish in Masaka over the weekend
The Nile Special National Pool Open regional qualifiers produced thrilling upsets and breakout performances, as rising stars sealed their places in the national grand finale set for December 21 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
In Masaka, Ramecca Mugwanya stunned home favourite and top seed Henry Mbabaali with an emphatic 5–2 victory, earning his first-ever ticket to the national showdown.
Mbabaali, a consistent qualifier in recent years, admitted he had come in underprepared, missing out for the first time in four attempts. Teen sensation Simon Nsubuga also clinched Masaka’s final slot.
At King’s Spot in Entebbe, Gideon Mawa edged crowd favourite Eria Kimuli 5–4 in a pulsating final. Mawa had earlier swept aside Isma Segujja 5–1 to establish himself as Entebbe’s top seed.
Kimuli, however, regrouped to win the third-place playoff and secure the last available position.
In Kireka at Adi’s Spot, seasoned campaigner Moses Omara underlined his pedigree with a commanding 5–1 win over Steven Ddumba, booking his third consecutive appearance at the grand finale.
His impressive run included a 5–2 semifinal victory over Pool Cranes captain Rashid Wagaba, who later defeated Rujumba in the playoff to claim the final slot.
The women’s qualifiers in Soroti delivered their own surprises. Debutant Maggie Acio outplayed Kampala’s fancied competitors to emerge top seed on her first attempt. Michelle Nandawula settled for second place after losing to Acio in the final, while PAU Women’s Affairs chairperson Debborah Ibenu beat Skin Samona’s Rehema Nanyondo to clinch the last qualifying spot.
As per tournament rules, the top male and female seeds, along with defending champions, are exempt from qualification rounds.
In the men’s category, Joseph Kasozi, Mansoor Bwanika, Ibra Ssejjemba, Ibra Kayanja, Ceasar Chandiga, Glorious Ssenyonjo, Azali Lukomwa, and Simon Lubulwa are exempt. The women’s exempt seeds include Marions Kisakye, Rukia Naiga, Rashida Mutesi, and Amina Faith Nganda.