ABACUS Chess Championship 2026: Elevating Classical Chess in Uganda
Isaac Munanira
Over 200 chess players packed the venue at the Kireka Sports View Hotel for a two-day classical chess tournament aimed at strengthening Uganda’s competitive scene, promoting grassroots education, and nurturing youth talent.
Organized by Abacus Pharma—a premier pharmaceutical brand in East Africa—the championship featured an intense 6-round classical format played at a 45 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move time control.
Champions of the Main Event
Open Section Winner:FM Harold Wanyama claimed top honors with a commanding performance, scoring 5.5/6 points.
Ladies Section Champion:WCM Juliet Asaba dominated the women’s section to capture the title.
A Massive Junior Turnout: U8 to U20 Categories
Beyond the main open section, the heart of the tournament was its massive junior section. A wide range of young talents battled across age-group divisions, including U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, and U20.
Key Junior Section Winners & Top Performers:
U18 & U20 Category:Edmond Charles Lwanga led the division, showcasing top-tier play among the senior youth.
U12 Category:Elvin Mukisa finished at the top of the standings in a competitive field.
U10 Category:Melisa Edinansi claimed victory in the U10 category.
Driven by Passion & Community Spirit
Lead organizer Garikapati Swarna, Branch Manager at Abacus Pharma, spearheaded the tournament. Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Swarna said her main motivation for investing in Ugandan chess and giving back to the community comes from watching her own children grow in the sport.
“At Abacus Pharma, we are strong in the East African pharmaceutical field, but we also want to encourage chess players across Uganda. Through our educational and youth initiatives, we aim to inspire small children to take up classical chess, build mental discipline, and grow into future champions.”
Where he went on to grill the youngster … See you then. Take care!
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