Uganda Cubing Open 2025

Thirty-two competitors assembled in Kampala, Uganda on February 1, 2025, turning the National ICT Innovation Hub on the Nakwa Campus into a hive of activity. Across ten separate rounds and six official events, the gathering showcased the growing strength of local puzzle solving. Beyond the ticking timers and competitive brackets, the day offered a shared space for enthusiasts to connect over algorithm discussions, cube hardware setups, and joint practice sessions between scheduled flights. The single-day speedcubing tournament delivered both high-stakes podium races and an inviting atmosphere for newcomers eager to experience an official WCA competition.

The flagship 3x3x3 Cube event drew 31 competitors through three intense rounds of solving. In a tight final round, Shaun Adriel Agaba clinched the title with a winning average of 15.30 seconds, bolstered by a best single solve of 14.72 seconds. The race for the top spot remained fiercely contested down to the wire, with Ethan Tyaba Kigundu securing second place with a 15.40 average, while Jeremiah Okas Mugisa claimed third place averaging 16.53. The dramatic 3x3 results capped a day of exceptional Rubik's Cube mastery in Kampala, reflecting steady technical progress across the local community.

Jeremiah Okas Mugisa proved to be one of the busiest and most versatile solvers of the tournament, taking victories across three distinct puzzle formats. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Mugisa posted a winning average of 4.72 seconds after logging a best single of 4.14 seconds across two rounds. Joshua Muhindi earned the runner-up spot on the 2x2x2 podium with a 6.51 average, followed by Ethan Tyaba Kigundu in third at 6.67 seconds. Mugisa also set an individual single solve of 3.83 and an average of 6.69 during the 2x2x2 contest, demonstrating fine command over shorter solve sequences.

Expanding his dominance to larger mechanical puzzles, Mugisa added two more titles in direct single-round finals. He topped the 4x4x4 Cube with a winning average of 1:12.47 and a single of 1:03.33, outpacing second-place Ethan Joshua Ariho Nowamani who finished at 1:15.28, and Ethan Tyaba Kigundu who took third in 1:20.91. Mugisa then captured the 5x5x5 Cube title with an average of 2:23.82 and a single of 2:15.61. Kenya's Rayan Parmar secured second place with an average of 2:48.26, while Kigundu collected another podium position in third place with a 2:56.21 average.

Side events brought alternative geometry to the tables, where Muhammad Hazari delivered standout performances on both the Pyraminx and the Skewb. Hazari earned first place in Pyraminx with an average of 11.49 seconds, finishing ahead of Aiden Mukama at 13.78 and Sheese Rawat at 15.66. Earlier in the day, Hazari also made history in the 2x2x2 Cube event by establishing a national record single of 3.18 seconds for Uganda, alongside an average of 5.24 seconds. In Skewb, Hazari finished first with an average of 16.25 seconds, ahead of Aliza Tosha Torana at 18.54 and Tumwesigye Zuri Anais Keza Tatiina at 28.59.

The real heart of the Uganda Cubing Open 2025 lay in the extensive lineup of debutants stepping up for their very first tournament appearances. Tandeka Shiloh undertook a massive five-event schedule in their first official outing, registering a first ever attempt of 12.30 seconds in Pyraminx, 2:08.42 in the 4x4x4 Cube, and 27.79 in Skewb on the way to a fourth-place Skewb result. Mohith Sai Sivakumar also embraced a multi-discipline schedule across four events, logging a first Pyraminx solve of 13.50 seconds on the way to an eighth-place finish, a 12.84 in 2x2x2, and a 4:47.13 initial mark on the 4x4x4 Cube.

The wave of maiden appearances continued across several classic disciplines as new competitors tested their skills. Hussain Juzer completed three events, earning fifth place in Pyraminx with an initial attempt of 14.64 seconds, alongside first attempts of 17.70 in 2x2x2 and 49.30 in 3x3x3. Sherry Ariella Agaba took on two events, reaching seventh place in 2x2x2 with a first single of 5.87 seconds and putting up a 19.21 in 3x3x3. Craig Phillip Bakyenga marked his entry with a 7.06 on 2x2x2 to secure eleventh place and a 26.01 on 3x3x3. Daudi Okidi recorded a 20.52 in Pyraminx and 1:05.19 in 3x3x3, while Jason Amani Onyodi posted an 11.23 in 2x2x2 and 34.99 in 3x3x3. Rayyan Mukasa Dabule focused entirely on the 3x3x3 Cube, finishing eighth overall with an opening solve of 14.42 seconds.

The energetic day concluded with Uganda capturing 17 podium places and Kenya taking one, highlighting the steady regional footprint of speed cubing in East Africa. From the collaborative exchanges between rounds to the emergence of confident new talent, the cubing competition at the Nakwa Campus demonstrated that the community is steadily broadening its technical base. As solvers departed with fresh personal marks, the Uganda Cubing Open 2025 left behind strong momentum for future national meets.