Sports 1 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
KIU's Malual clinches inaugural University Pool Championship
Kampala International University's Anthony Malual emerged victorious in the first-ever University Pool Championship, defeating Benjamin Ichuma of Ndejje University in the final. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/kiu-s-malual-wins-inaugural-university-pool-title-5579048
The inaugural University Pool Championship has concluded with Anthony Malual from Kampala International University (KIU) taking home the coveted title. Malual secured his win by defeating Benjamin Ichuma from Ndejje University 5-1 in the final match, held at the Makerere University Business School (Mubs) campus in Nakawa.
This historic event saw participation from students across several leading Ugandan universities, including KIU, Ndejje, Mubs, and Kampala University. The championship was initially conceived by Mubs captain Jalaludin Batte as a means to scout talent for the upcoming AUUS Games in December. However, the scope was expanded under the guidance of Pius Akampa, head of Schools and Institutions at the Pool Association of Uganda (PAU), to allow broader university involvement.
The tournament provided PAU with a valuable opportunity to gauge the current standard of pool within higher education institutions. Akampa noted the presence of skilled players who, while strong offensively, needed development in fundamental techniques. “It was an eye-opener,” Akampa stated, expressing plans to establish a university league next year.
Jalaludin Batte, now appointed as PAU’s coordinator for university players, highlighted the potential of the championship to reshape public perception of pool, challenging the notion that it is exclusively a sport for the lower classes. He believes this event demonstrates the intellectual capacity of students ready to elevate the sport’s profile.
In the women’s category, KIU’s Happy Namukose secured third place after a decisive 4-0 victory over Mubs’ John Izumba. Namukose, an IT student, had previously put up a strong challenge against Malual in the semifinals, pushing the race-to-five match to a 4-4 tie before ultimately losing the decider.
Malual expressed his elation at winning the championship, emphasizing its personal significance as pool is his primary sport. “Winning the first championship means a lot and it will motivate me to play even better,” he commented. Winners received cash prizes from PAU.
The growth of pool in university sports has been further bolstered by its official recognition by the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) last year, where it transitioned from an exhibition sport to a medal event. This championship signifies a key step in developing the sport at the university level.