The Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) has ushered in a new executive after a fiercely contested election that highlighted the growing competitiveness within the sport.
The 2026 elections, held after the expiry of the outgoing four year term, filled nine leadership positions, with the chairman race drawing the biggest attention.
Gideon Onyango and Yusuf Meyan Magomu were both elected the new PAU chairmen after narrowly defeating Robert Kayanja and Paul Okware. Onyango polled 39 votes against the challengers’ combined 36 in one of the closest contests of the day.
Rogers Ssemanda won the General Secretary seat with 44 votes, beating Jackson Edau who secured 31. Ssemanda had campaigned on building stronger partnerships to help grow the game.
In the Technical Director race, Wasswa Muhammad Kayiiya collected 42 votes to defeat Donald, who got 14, and Ismail Kalibbala, who managed 18.
George Katongole was elected Director of Public Relations after beating Jondu Emmy 43-31, while Fauzah Namuganza won the newly created Clubs Representative position with 41 votes against Michael Kanaakulya’s 33.
The Women Affairs race saw incumbent Ibenu Debborah retain her seat after defeating Pool Cranes captain Amina Faith Nganda 42-32.
The elections capped a process that began in April when aspirants picked nomination forms ahead of the April 20 deadline.
Namuganza, popularly known as Lisa, returned to the race with a message of unity and stronger ties between players, clubs and the association leadership. Drawing from her experience as co-founder of Bob Male Pool Club, she pushed for better representation of both players and club owners.
Nganda’s campaign focused on growing the women’s game through equal prize money and increased opportunities for female players.
Ssemanda, a member of the technical committee, centred his campaign on attracting partnerships to help professionalise the sport.
Returning Officer Musa Mivule Ssemakula had earlier described the nomination process as smooth, although the Shs1 million nomination fee proved challenging for some aspirants.
The elections also marked the end of Bob Trubish’s tenure after the outgoing chairman opted not to seek another term.
Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) Executive Committee:
- Chairman: Hon. Gideon Onyango
- Vice chairman: Yusuf Meyan Magomu
- Treasurer: Cosmas Ssegawa
- Technical Director: Muhammad Wasswa Kayiiya
- Director Public Relations: George Katongole Kiwanuka
- Ladies Affairs: Deborah Ebenu
- Secretary: Rodgers Ssemanda
- Club representative: Lisa Namuganza
- Schools’ representative: Pius Mugambwa
