The 2026 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS CROWNED
Photo Credit: Ivan Mukuye, Bani Chess – Arthur Mukunya
After three grueling weekends and 11 rounds of high-stakes play, the 2026 National Chess Championship (Super 12) has concluded. The marathon event has finally determined the ten elite players—five men and five ladies—who will represent the Pearl of Africa at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The closing ceremony was a prestigious affair, graced by the Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) executive and led by the UCF President, marking the start of a fresh chapter for the sport in Uganda.
The National Team: Our National Representatives
The final rankings have solidified the official squad. These athletes proved their mettle over 11 intense rounds to earn their places on the national team.
The Men’s Team (Open Section)
The Open section was a battle of giants that went down to the wire. Nyola Wasswa Mark emerged as the definitive champion, finishing a full point ahead of the field.
| Rank | Name | Points | Status |
| 1 | Nyola, Wasswa Mark | 8.5 | 2026 National Champion |
| 2 | FM Kawuma, Patrick | 7.5 | 8-time Olympiad Player |
| 3 | FM Bibasa, Bob | 7.0 | Elite Veteran |
| 4 | CM Egesa, Emmanuel | 6.5 | Strong Finisher |
| 5 | FM Nsubuga, Haruna | 6.5 | Tactical Expert |
The Ladies’ Team (Women’s Section)
History was made in the Ladies’ section, which now boasts the youngest Ugandan team ever, with 4 out of 5 players being Under 20. This “new young blood,” largely from the KTLCA Chess Club, dominated the standings.
| Rank | Name | Points | Status |
| 1 | WIM Sana, Omprakash Kayyar | 9.0 | 2026 National Champion (U20) |
| 2 | Asiimwe, Olivia | 8.0 | Rising Star (U20) |
| 3 | WCM Asaba, Juliet | 7.5 | Youth Prodigy (U20) |
| 4 | WCM Ampaire, Shakira | 7.5 | Experienced International |
| 5 | WCM Kawuma, Patricia | 6.5 | Veteran Anchor (U20) |
Drama and “New Blood”
Shifts in power and stunning upsets defined the tournament. In the ladies’ section, the youth movement was highlighted by a game in which the youngest player, Suhana Yadav, defeated the seasoned WCM Asaba Juliet in a heated battle.
Meanwhile, the men’s section featured a “game to remember” between two coaching icons. In a decisive result that shook the standings, the current national coach, Ssonko Mathias Allan, defeated the former national coach, FM Harold Wanyama. While the win was a personal triumph for Ssonko, the final tiebreaks placed Wanyama and Ssonko just outside the top five, illustrating how highly competitive the field was this year.
Some of the key games that shook up the weekend …
Looking Forward
With the national team now settled, the country moves forward into a new season. The blend of seasoned masters in the Open section and the historic youth surge in the Ladies’ section provides a dynamic foundation for the upcoming Olympiad.
Congratulations to our new National Champions and the entire Samarkand squad!
