The stage is set, the boards are ready, and excitement is in the air! The Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) has officially sent off two formidable national teams—the Men’s and Ladies’ squads—as they embark on a journey to represent the nation at the prestigious Chess Olympiad hosted in Samarkand, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿. Over 400 nations are converging on the global stage, and Uganda is fully prepared to make its mark! A total of 398 to 400 teams are participating in the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, making it the largest in history:
Women’s Section: 190–192 teams
Open (Men’s) Section: 208 teams
🏛️ Official Send-Off at the National Council of Sports
It was a blissful and joyous occasion at the National Council of Sports (NCS) headquarters at Kololo, as both squads gathered in high spirits. The delegation was warmly received by Joseph Oluga (Assistant General Secretary/Administration, currently Acting General Secretary of NCS) alongside Nankya Sarah Anne (Senior Sports Officer, NCS).
In a moment of honor, the national flag was officially handed over to the team, accompanied by encouraging words to hold the Ugandan colors high on the world stage.
Leading the delegation is the UCF President, Mr. Andrew Bakiza, alongside his team. This marks a major milestone—it is the very first Chess Olympiad under Mr. Bakiza’s leadership, serving as a moment to celebrate how chess unites people and brings pride to our nation.
(Yours truly, Isaac, was present on the ground to witness every moment of this send-off!)
♟️ The Squads & Traveling Delegation
Uganda will field 5 players for the Men’s section and 5 players for the Ladies’ section:
👨 Men’s Team (Open)
- Kawuma Patrick
- Nyola Mark Wasswa
- Egesa Emmanuel
- Bibasa Bob
- Harold Wanyama
👩 Women’s Team
- Sana Omprakash K.
- Asiimwe Olivia
- Asaba Juliet
- Ampaire Shakira
- Kawuma Patricia
🤝 Technical Support & Leadership
- National Coach: Ssonko Matthias
- Team Official: Naisanga Valsheba
- Parent Delegate: Mrs. Omprakash (parent of Sana Omprakash K.)
- Head of Delegation & UCF President: Mr. Andrew Bakiza
📜 Looking Back: Uganda’s Olympiad Legacy
Uganda’s participation in Uzbekistan builds on a rich history at the world stage. Most recently at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, the Ugandan teams put on notable performances against top grandmasters across 11 intense rounds. The Men’s and Women’s teams battled fierce international opposition, securing critical match victories and valuable FIDE ratings that paved the way for this year’s experienced roster. With seasoned veterans returning alongside bright young talent, Team Uganda is poised for even greater breakthroughs.
The team leaves tonight in brilliant spirits, motivated, and equipped to push pawns against the world’s best. Let’s stand together and cheer on our national players as they fly the Ugandan flag high in Uzbekistan! 🇺🇿♟️
The current tournament is the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Key Details
- Dates: September 15–27, 2026
- Location: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Format: 11-round Swiss system tournament (Open and Women’s sections)
- Defending Champions (from Budapest 2024): India (won both Open and Women’s gold)
(Note: The preceding tournament was the 45th Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary in 2024, while the upcoming 47th edition is scheduled for 2028 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.)
#UgandaChess #ChessOlympiad #TeamUganda #UgandaChessFederation #Chess
