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Dice Lounge triumph keeps Chandiga, Mutesi hungry
Dice Lounge chairman Mark Kakooza (C) handing over the trophies to the 2025 Dice Lounge pool Creme de la Creme winners Ceaser Chandiga (L) and Rasheeda Mutesi during the prize-giving ceremony. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
When both triumphed during the fourth Dice Lounge Crème de La crème 16-man competition at Dice Lounge in Munyonyo last weekend, it only sent a message to their national and regional challengers.
Ceaser Chandiga and Rasheeda Mutesi are not new to winning in Uganda’s pool table arena.
Their fans, pundits and bookmakers often trust them to reach advanced stages of major competitions.
When both triumphed during the fourth Dice Lounge Crème de La crème 16-man competition at Dice Lounge in Munyonyo last weekend, it only sent a message to their national and regional challengers.
“My target is to win every tournament that I will feature in this year,” remarked Mutesi after she defeated her sister Rukia Naiga 7-4 in the ladies’ singles final.
“It means a lot to me to win the championship, being that it is the first that they’ve hosted here and there were tough competitors,” she added.
Mutesi pocketed Shs500000 from Dice Lounge while Naiga got half the figure. Mutesi is the first ladies’ winner at this tournament but for the men, this was the fourth edition and Chandiga got one step better than 2024.
“It means a lot to me. I have been playing for three years,” said Chandiga who lost last year’s final to Hazaali Lukomwa.
“I was beaten by Hazaali (last year) when I was leading. Today, it was going to happen the same way but thank God, I won it. I had a lot in my collection,” noted Chandiga in the early hours of Saturday.
The victory marked his fourth win of the year; adding to wins at Cloud Base Monthly in Kibuli, Amigos 64-Competition in Kibuye, Adi’s Spot Beginning of Year championship and the Ata Uganda Super 8-Man tourney in Kireka.
“My target this year is to continue playing and improves my game. I see myself playing the Ultimate Pool Series very soon,” he added. Chandiga pocketed Shs2m in prize money from Dice.
Kenneth Odong finished third ahead of Rashid Wagaba while Sheila Ankah took third place in the ladies’ category ahead of Amina Nganda, all household names in the sport.
CREME DE LA CREME 16-MAN COMPETITION
DICE LOUNGE POOL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Men’s Final: Ceaser Chandiga bt. Ibrah Ssejjemba 16-14
Ladies’ Final: Rasheeda Mutesi bt. Rukia Naiga 7-4
FINAL TOURNAMENT RANKINGS
MEN:
1 Caesar Chandiga
2 Ibrahim Sejjemba
3 Kenneth Odong
4 Rashid Wagaba
LADIES:
1 Rasheeda Mutesi
2 Rukia Naiga
3 Sheila Ankah
4 Amina Nganda
DICE LOUNGE CREME DE LA CRÈME
CAST OF WINNERS (MEN)
2025: Ceaser Chandiga bt. Ibra Ssejjemba
2024: Hazaali Lukomwa bt. Ceaser Chandiga
2023: Ibra Ssejjemba bt. Hazaali Lukomwa
2022: Mansoor Bwanika bt. Ibra Kayanja
