The road to the December 21 grand finale at Lugogo Indoor Stadium tightened over the weekend as the Nile Special National Open Pool Championship regional qualifiers produced some of the tournament’s biggest surprises yet. Across Gulu, Hoima, Masindi, Kitgum, Busega and Mukono, the usual giants stumbled while a new breed of qualifiers seized their moment.
In Gulu, established stars Walter Odoki, Ivan Opwonya and Simon Komakech all bowed out in the preliminaries, opening the door for Colline Abonga, Aron Opiyo and Sammy Komagum to advance.
At Koma Gardens in Matugga, Two-time national champion Jonan “Joker” Turigye was handed a rare 5–0 defeat by in-form Derrick Muganza, who secured his first-ever ticket to the national grand finale.
Turigye, however, had already done enough earlier in the day to seal qualification alongside Ivan Ssenyonjo.
“The whole point was to reach Lugogo. That’s where champions are made. I’m going there to fight for history and become the first player to win three national titles,” noted Turigye, who is tied on two national titles with last year’s winner Mansoor Bwanika and Fahad Ssewankambo.
In Masindi at Café Milano, rising star Joseph Rwotokanya of Upper Volta, Mark Bahemurwaki and Jimmy Ategeka advanced.
At Happy Boys, Busega, the trio of Ibulahimu Ssewali, Benard Isoke and Philip Masiko booked their places, while Paradise Spot – Jinja produced Peterson Mulo, Eric Ugabo and Imran Magero. From Hoima’s Chill and Bite, Juma Tomusange, Sammie Kadde and Justus Ntegeka completed the men’s qualifiers.
The qualifiers also marked a notable return in Malaba, where 2012 national champion Alfred Gumikiriza re-emerged after skipping last year’s events. The veteran showed his experience at Winkers Pub in the mini-qualifiers to qualify alongside Hamidu Baale, Richard Oyet and Vicent Okello.
The women’s contest was equally dramatic. At Club Vortex in Kitgum, Abigail Amaro, Dosylyn Aciro, Babra Lakica and Ann Lakot earned their places in the grand finale. Lakot stunned seasoned qualifier Hadia Luwanga, while Aciro eliminated Kitgum’s favourite Kevin Aber in the quarterfinals.
In Mukono at Itaano Arena, national team star Jacinta Kajubi suffered a shock quarterfinal exit after falling to Upper Volta’s Prossy Namuli for the last qualification slot.
The top two who qualified Valeria Mbudyowere and Florence Nakato—were both making their first appearance in the national finals.
The stage is now set for a high-stakes showdown at Lugogo Indoor Stadium on December 21 after qualification of new and veteran talents.
