Rookies dominated the Masaka regional qualifiers at Masaka Sports Club on Saturday night. Ramecca Mugwanya earned his maiden ticket to the grand finale at Lugogo Indoor Stadium on December 21 after stunning Masaka’s top player, Henry Mbabaali, 5–2 in the final.
Mbabaali admitted that he had not prepared well enough, saying it was a reality check after failing to qualify as Masaka’s best for the first time in four attempts. Teenager Simon Nsubuga sealed Masaka’s third slot.
At King’s Spot in Entebbe, Gideon Mawa edged home favourite Eria Kimuli 5–4 to claim his place in the grand finale.
A 5–1 victory over Isma Segujja confirmed him as Entebbe’s top seed. Kimuli later won the third-place play-off to secure the last slot.
In Kireka, Moses Omara was in commanding form, overpowering Steven Ddumba 5–1 in the final to book his third straight appearance at the grand finale. In the semifinals, he had eliminated Pool Cranes captain Rashid Wagaba 5–2. Wagaba recovered through the third-place play-off, defeating Rujumba to secure the final spot from Adi’s Spot.
In the ladies’ category at Nature Gardens in Soroti, Maggie Acio upset the Kampala-based challengers to qualify as the top seed on her first attempt. Michelle Nandawula finished second after losing to Acio in the final. Debborah Ibenu, the Women’s Affairs chairperson in the Pool Association of Uganda (PAU), beat Skin Samona’s Rehema Nanyondo in the third-place play-off to take the final slot.
The top ten male seeded players and the defending champion (if not in top seeds) are exempted from the qualifiers.
The male top seeds are Kasozi Joseph, Bwanika Mansoor, Ssejjemba Ibra, Kayanja Ibra, Chandiga Ceasar, Ssenyonjo Glorious, Lukomwa Azali and Lubulwa Simon respectively.
The top four female top seeds together with the defending champion (if not top seeded) are also exempted.
The women top seeds include Kisakye Marion, Naiga Rukia, Mutesi Rashida and Amina Faith Nganda respectively.
The Nile Special-sponsored tournament has brand new cars at stake for the men and women champion.
