By 
The Pool Association of Uganda gathered for its highly anticipated Annual General Assembly (AGM) on January 25th, 2025, at Nob View Hotel in Ntinda, Kampala.
Central to the discussions was the association’s ambitions to realign with the 2023 Uganda Sports Act and reshape the future of the sport of pool in the country.
The meeting saw key resolutions made, notably the association’s desire to transition into a Federation Member of the Uganda National Council of Sports (UNCS).
James Mwere, the Vice Chairperson of the Pool Association of Uganda, took the opportunity to brief the media on the new direction.
He explained that after more than 20 years of operating as an association, the shift towards federation status would bring the sport into line with the legal framework established by the new sports act, which encourages the formation of more structured and widely recognized sporting bodies.
“We have been an association for over 20 years, and now with this new sports act, we are looking forward to becoming a federation. We are going to different regions to form members associations, and we need to scatter legalized pool to over 100 districts so that we cover the mandate of 75% coverage of the country,” Mwere remarked, outlining the association’s extensive plans for nationwide growth.
He emphasized the importance of grassroots development, noting that pool is widely played throughout Uganda, and the goal is to formalize its structure to ensure it is recognized and supported at every level of society.
The ambition to broaden the reach of pool across the country was underscored by Mwere’s call to legalize the sport from the grassroots level.
Pool, he noted, is played in virtually every corner of Uganda, and the aim is to build a robust foundation that will see it flourish in all 100 districts, eventually providing the sport with nationwide recognition and participation.
In addition to the structural changes, the AGM also tackled an important issue: the image of pool as a sport in Uganda.
Pool has often been associated with bars and social drinking, which has contributed to its reputation as a pastime for “drunkards.” Mwere acknowledged this perception and stressed that it was time to reshape the narrative.
“Since most pool arenas are located at bars, most people think that pool is for drunkards, but it is not right. Pool is a normal sport like any other sport, such as football, basketball, or netball,” Mwere stated firmly.
“Our sport has a bad image which has to change. Therefore, we are going to take the sport to schools so that we start nurturing players at a young age and help them reach international levels with good experience from an early age.”
The association’s plans to introduce pool to schools across the country represent a key step in changing public perception and ensuring the sport develops from a young age.
Mwere’s vision is clear: nurture talent early, provide proper training, and offer young players the opportunity to represent Uganda on the international stage.
While the AGM was generally successful, it wasn’t without its challenges. The accountability session saw some disagreements, which Mwere acknowledged as part of the broader dynamics in Ugandan sports.
However, he stressed that these disagreements are becoming common in the country’s sports landscape and should not overshadow the positive developments within the association.
In conclusion, the 2025 AGM marked a significant turning point for the Pool Association of Uganda as it looks to align itself with the new sports regulations and actively reshape the future of pool in the country.
Through strategic expansion, rebranding, and grassroots development, the association is determined to elevate pool to the level of recognition it deserves, both within Uganda and internationally.
