At first sight, he looks calm you may mistake him to be a saint.
On the Pool table, armed with his playing cue, he is lethal, composed but docks the balls in the pockets with the ease of razor through butter.
This is Wasswa Kayiiya Mukiibi, 28, the 7 time Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) league champion with 4 different sides.
I was introduced to the pool game by Abdullah Lukwago in Umjoa Pub way back in 2004
A rather held back Kayiiya starts the long narration of his pool journey.
Kayiiya, one player who has ultimate respect for opponents has claimed 7 national league honors and 2 individual titles (Pilsner 2006 Independence and Coca Cola Independence in 2008) over the years.
He first won the league in 2006 while with DV8 club in Kisenyi.
He won again in 2007 after transferring to California pool club before winning a unprecedented 5 times with pool kings, Skin Samona from 2008 through to 2012.
In January, 2013, Kayiiya returned ‘Home’ to the Kisenyi based Scrap Yard, who are lined to win this year’s pilsner senior king of leagues men’s version.
I transferred from Kisenyi pool club in 2008 to Skin Samona at a record fee Ug. shs 4M and a pool table. This completely changed my lifestyle
Kayiiya, a 7 time league champion reveals to Kawowo Sports.
Wasswa, a first born twin in the family of 7 bemoans the times he has played second fiddle to many players in various pool tournaments.
I will never forget the bitter memories of 2008 when i scored my last black ball, but as the fans celebrated they rolled the white ball too in the pocket, only to lose that deciding game
He bitterly recalls that National Championship loss to Jonah ‘Joker’ Turigye with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Wasswa, who also works as a scrap dealer in Kisenyi also lost to Abdullah Lukwago and Fred Namanya in the finals of 2010 and 2011 Kampala Pool open and Easter cup tournaments respectively.
Now a composed man, Kayiiya, who happily lives with his spouse (Rebecca Nanyondo) and two children (Sulayice and Shafiki Mukiibi) in Kisenyi hopes to win more league titles and have another go at the national pool championship title, Kampala Open, Easter and Christmas accolades.
He sings praise of the game of pool for it has helped him network with different people from all walks of life and also live a better lifestyle than before.
I have got good friends from playing the pool table, I have two operational pool tables that bring to my family a daily income of at least 50,000/= per day
Wasswa concludes.
Wasswa Kayiiya At A Glance:
Full Names: Wasswa Kayiiya Mukiibi
Date of Birth: 17th November 1986
Place of Birth: Kampala
Family: 1st Born Twin in family of 7 (5 Brothers and 2 sisters)
Parents: Ibrahim Kayiiya (RIP) and Elizabeth Nanyondo (RIP)
Pool Debut: 2006 with DV8 Club
Pool Clubs: DV8 (2006), California (2007), Kisenyi Pool Club (2008), Skin Samona (2008-2012)and Scrap Yard (Jan 2013- To date)
Best Pool Trick: Draw Back Shot
Eduction: Nakivubo Blue Primary School and Old Kampala Secondary, Kampala (S1-S6)
Pool Role Model: Meddie Kazibwe
Family Life: 1 Spouse (Rebecca Nanyondo) and 2 Children (Sulayice Mukiibi- 2 years and Shafiki Mukiibi-5 years old)
Best Dish: Matooke and Ground Nuts with a soda.
