Uganda’s national pool teams experienced mixed fortunes at the ongoing Ultimate Africa Pool Championships in Mpumalanga, South Africa, as the men advanced to the knockout stage while the women missed out on a quarterfinal spot.
Led by captain Caesar Chandiga, the men’s side swept all their group fixtures in style to top their pool unbeaten. Uganda started with a dominant 20–5 victory over Namibia A, followed it up with a 15–10 win against Namibia B, and sealed their position with an 18–7 triumph over Kenya’s Mchana.
Chandiga was in outstanding form, winning all five frames against Namibia and dropping only one in each of the other two matches.
His consistent run has placed him among the tournament’s standout performers, while teammate Simon Lubuulwa also impressed, losing only twice on the day. Lubuulwa currently sits second in the MVP standings behind South Africa’s Jerry Ganda Ganda.
Head coach Nathan Bwakosya praised his team’s form so far. “The boys have been clinical from the start,” he said. “The knockouts are a new challenge, but I’m confident we can maintain this level.”
Uganda will now face Mchana again in the men’s quarterfinals after the Kenyan side scraped through in eighth place. Kenya’s qualification came at the expense of Namibia, after Fahad Farah and Collins Tuwei inspired a crucial win, with Tuwei sealing the decider when his opponent snookered himself on the black ball.
The women’s side, meanwhile, fell short in the group stage after losses to South Africa C (8–17), South Africa B (9–16), and Namibia (1–24). Despite the early exit, the ladies will still contest a placement final against Namibia on Saturday.
Attention now turns to the singles competition, which began on Wednesday evening, with Chandiga among the favorites to challenge for continental honors.
