The long-awaited Central Region Chess League Championship 2026 officially kicked off yesterday, Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Kireka Sports View Hotel. Sponsored by Multi Sports, this 7-round event marks a major turning point for Ugandan chess as the regional restructuring takes full effect.

With two rounds already in the books and five rounds remaining across four weekends, the atmosphere was electric—filled with fierce board battles, youthful enthusiasm, and the promise of a transformed chess landscape in Uganda.

A New Framework: Decentralization & Regional Leagues

Under the guidelines of the new Sports Act and the direction of the Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) executive led by President Andrew Bakiza, chess in Uganda has taken a bold step toward decentralization. Each of the four regions of Uganda now runs its own regional league.

This local restructuring serves a crucial purpose: the Central Region League acts as a qualifier for the prestigious National Super League. The top 8 teams from each of the 4 regions will qualify to meet in the Super League battleground.

However, questions still linger regarding the teams that fall outside the top 8. It remains to be clarified by the UCF leadership whether non-qualifying teams will play in a Division B league or wait for subsequent seasons.

Weathering the Storm: Boycotts & Administrative Resolve

Rolling out any new structural model comes with its share of hurdles. The Central League faced notable pushback, including concerns about lower prize pools and changes to event formats.

Several traditional powerhouse clubs chose not to participate, including big names such as:

1. Kireka Chess Club
   
2. CNA
   
3. SOM Clubs
   
4. Gambit Chess Club
   

Despite these absences and lower-than-usual turnout from older mainstays, the leadership team—spearheaded by Nkonge Moses (Chairperson) and Kimera Innocent (General Secretary)—steered the ship through rough waters to deliver a successful and smooth launch.

Youthful Energy Takes Center Stage

While some seasoned veterans missed out, their absence paved the way for a vibrant new wave of young talent. The 29-team field was packed with junior academies and school teams making their debut appearances:

• 7 AM Chess Academy
  
• Shree Sahajanand (Teams A & B)
  
• KTCA (Teams A, B, and Pawns)
  
• St. Cyprian (Teams A, B, and C)
  

The air at Sports View Hotel was pure youthful energy—a silent, inspiring signal that the future of Ugandan chess is bright and firmly in the hands of the next generation.

Action on the Boards: Rounds 1 & 2 Highlights

The clashing of pawns and pieces began immediately, with no team holding back.

Key Matchups & Results

• Clash of the Academies: The second round saw an early derby as KTCA Team A and KTCA Team B faced off on the top boards.
• Mulago Kings Dominance: Top seeds Mulago Kings Chess Club maintained a strong standard, sweeping early points to stay firmly in the lead group.
• Game of the Day – Uganda vs. Comoros: On Board 1, Uganda’s top star Harold Wanyama (Mulago Kings) faced off against Comoros national player Alfene Ambudulah of UBC chess Club in a deeply contested match. Wanyama demonstrated tactical mastery to outplay his opponent and secure victory for Mulago Kings. GAME FOUND AT THE BOTTOM

Current Standings (Rank after Round 2)

After two intensely fought rounds, five teams stand tied at the top with a maximum of 6 match points (TB1):

Rk.	Team Name	Games	+	=	–	TB1 (Points)	TB2 (Board Points)
1	MUBS Team A	2	2	0	0	6	10.5
2	KTCA Team A	2	2	0	0	6	9.5
3	Vineyard Archbishops	2	2	0	0	6	9.0
4	MUK A	2	2	0	0	6	9.0
5	Mulago Kings Chess Club	2	2	0	0	6	8.0
6	Strategic Minds Chess Club	2	1	1	0	4	9.0
7	Titans Chess Club	2	1	1	0	4	9.0
8	Watchers Team A	2	1	1	0	4	8.5

(The top 8 teams at the end of 7 rounds will qualify for the National Super League).

Event Details & Remaining Schedule

• Venue: Kireka Sports View Hotel, Kampala
• Sponsor: Multi Sports
• Entry Fee: UGX 150,000 per team
• Tournament Format: 7 Rounds
• Remaining Play Dates:
  • Sunday, 1st November 2026
    
  • Sunday, 15th November 2026
    
  • Sunday, 29th November 2026
    

Prize Structure

• 1st Place: UGX 1,000,000 + Trophy + Gold Medals
• 2nd Place: UGX 600,000 + Silver Medals
• 3rd Place: UGX 500,000 + Bronze Medals
• Individual Board Prizes: UGX 100,000 for Best Board 1; UGX 50,000 each for Boards 2–4, Best Junior, Best Lady, and Best Differently Abled Player.

Stay tuned as action resumes on November 1st for Rounds 3 and 4!

The Game to remember .. HAROLD WANYAMA (mulago Kings) VS ALFENE AMBUDULLAH (UBC health team)

See you next Week.

The next league day will be the 25th Oct where the leading teams will clash for the top spots. Tighten your seat belts.