The excitement ahead of the 2025 Nile Special National Pool Championship Open, set for December 21, took a sudden, somber turn after reigning women’s champion and top seed Marion KisakyE popularly known as Sheilla Ankah was hospitalized following a nasty accident in Entebbe.
Kisakye, who was on her way back from picking up a sibling at Entebbe Airport in her Toyota Mark X, was reportedly involved in a crash when a Fuso truck lost control and rammed into the car she famously won at last year’s championship.
The vehicle then veered off the road into a small stream. Reports indicate that a breakdown lifter sent to recover the car mishandled it, causing further damage.
Both Kisakye and her sibling were rushed to an undisclosed hospital and admitted into the intensive care unit. Speaking from her hospital bed, Kisakye reassured fans:
‘Thank God I finally left the ICU last night (Wednesday) and I’m recovering. All will be fine.’ Her sibling, however, remained in critical care at the time of reporting.
Rise and rise
Kisakye’s rise in Ugandan pool has been remarkable. She first captured attention in 2017 at Ronz Pool Club in Jinja, claiming the Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) Christmas Cup.
But it was last year that she truly made history, breaking the long-standing dominance of sisters Rukia Naiga and Rashida Muteesi to win the 2024 PAU Grand Open. She then stepped up to clinch the Nile Special National Open at Lugogo, driving away in the very car now involved in the accident.
As the top seed for this year’s championship, Kisakye received a bye in the qualifiers, alongside Naiga, Muteesi, and Amina Faith Nganda. Her winning streak extends beyond national borders; just a month ago, she helped lead Uganda’s national team to gold at the 2025 Ultimate Pool Championship in South Africa.
While Kisakye recovers, the pool community rallies behind her, hoping their queen will return stronger than ever to defend her crown.