Ceasar Chandiga and Rashida Mutesi emerged champions at the 2025 Nile Special National Pool Open Championship, which concluded on Sunday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, live on NBS Sport.
Chandiga reclaimed the men’s national title with a commanding 9-5 victory over Rashid Wagaba in a final shaped by patience, experience, and control.
The former champion, winner in 2023, absorbed early pressure as Wagaba surged into a 2-0 lead, playing with confidence and pace.
The turning point came when Wagaba faltered on the black. Chandiga seized the moment, stringing together four straight frames to flip the contest.
From there, the final settled into his tempo. He dictated play, punished errors, and shut down Wagaba’s attempts to recover, closing out the match with authority.
The win made Chandiga only the third player to lift the national crown twice, ending Mansoor Bwanika’s reign as champion.
It also sealed bragging rights in a familiar league rivalry, with both finalists representing Upper Volta.
Upper Volta dominated the latter stages after Roxberry’s title hopes ended in the semifinals, where captain Ibra Sejjemba and top seed Joseph Kasozi bowed out.
When the final ball dropped, Chandiga collapsed to the floor in celebration, sharing an emotional moment with his wife and mother courtside.
Earlier, the women’s final delivered a landmark result. Rashida Mutesi captured her first national title after a composed 7-4 win over defending champion Marion Kisakye.
Mutesi stayed steady under pressure, controlled key frames, and closed out the match to dethrone the reigning champion.
The triumphs earned Chandiga and Mutesi brand new Subaru Imprezas, capping a championship that drew the country’s top players.
Before this year’s tournament, Mansoor Bwanika and Marion Kisakye held the men’s and women’s titles respectively.
Chandiga now adds his second crown to a winners’ list that includes Jonan Turigye, Fahad Ssewankambo, Sula Matovu, Amos Ndyagumanawe, Alfred Gumisiriza, Khalifan Ntwali, Fred Namanya, Jeff Miiro, and Bob Menani.
