Photo Credit: Ivan Mukuye

The 35th edition of the Father Grimes Chess Championship has officially kicked off, marking a historic milestone for school chess in Uganda. For the very first time in its rich history, the competition has traveled more than 100km outside of Kampala, landing in the vibrant western city of Mbarara.

Hosted at the prestigious Ntare School from May 3rd to May 7th, 2026, this year’s event has drawn a massive crowd of eager students, coaches, and chess enthusiasts from across various regions, making it the undeniable school event of the year.

📊 The Event in Numbers

The scale of this year’s championship is nothing short of extraordinary. The journey to Mbarara brought together a massive community of brilliant young minds and dedicated professionals:

• 213 competing teams
• 1,000+ student players
• 500+ support staff (including teachers, coaches, and arbiters)
• 4 competitive categories (Secondary Open, Secondary Ladies, Primary Open, and Primary Girls)

🌟 Players and Champions to Watch

The competition is fierce as formidable champions from last year return to defend their titles against a wave of fresh, talented newcomers. With four highly contested categories, several names have already begun generating a buzz:

• Kawuma Patricia (Gombe High)
• Asaba Juliette (Sister Miriam Duggan)
• Kur Akut Deng (St. Cyprian Kyabakadde)
• Wabwire Ronald (Sister Miriam Duggan Primary School)

These notable competitors are bringing a wave of intensity to the boards, setting the stage for some incredibly thrilling matches.

🤝 Proud Sponsors and Partners

Putting together an event of this magnitude requires robust support. The 35th Father Grimes tournament is proudly backed by organizations dedicated to youth development and financial education, including:

• DTB Bank
• Bank of Uganda
• Duya Discoveries
• Uganda Chess Federation
• UBC
• New Vision
• National Council of Sports
• Ntare School
• Among many others

♟️ Tournament Highlights: Day 1 and Beyond

The tournament got off to an inspiring start. Following a grand opening ceremony, attendees heard from the Uganda Chess Federation President and other esteemed speakers who shared valuable insights on the development of the game in Uganda.

In a unique addition to the sporting event, representatives from the Bank of Uganda took the stage to lead an engaging session on financial literacy, equipping the youth with essential knowledge for their futures.

With two rounds already completed, the students are settling into a rigorous 4-day schedule. A total of 9 rounds will determine the ultimate winners in each of the four categories, culminating in a grand award-winning ceremony scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Stay tuned for more updates as the young minds of Uganda battle it out on the chessboard in Mbarara!