The 2026 Uganda National Chess Championship (Super 12) has concluded after three consecutive weekends of high-level competition and 11 demanding rounds of classical chess, officially determining Uganda’s representatives for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The championship, organised by the Uganda Chess Federation (UCF), brought together the country’s strongest twelve players in each section under the round-robin format. With Olympiad qualification at stake, every round carried significant weight, producing tense encounters, decisive moments and dramatic shifts in the standings.
Open section: A battle to the final round
The Open section lived up to expectations, with qualification places remaining uncertain until the very end. Nyola Wasswa Mark emerged as the clear winner after delivering a consistent performance across all 11 rounds, scoring 8.5/11 and finishing a full point ahead of the chasing pack to secure the national title.
Among the tournament’s defining games was the encounter between current national coach Ssonko Mathias Allan and former national coach FM Harold Wanyama. In a result that reshaped the leaderboard, Ssonko prevailed in a fiercely contested battle. Despite the significance of that victory, final tie-break calculations placed both players narrowly outside the top five qualification spots, highlighting the extraordinary competitiveness and depth of the field.
Women’s Section: A Generational Shift
The Women’s section marked a historic turning point, producing what is now the youngest Olympiad team in Uganda’s history. Four of the five qualifiers are under 20, reflecting the growing strength of youth development structures and the emergence of a confident new generation.
Players affiliated with KTLCA Chess Club featured prominently among the leaders, underlining the impact of sustained grassroots programmes. One of the most symbolic moments of the championship came when the youngest participant, Suhana Yadav, defeated the experienced WCM Asaba Juliet in a dynamic and hard-fought game. The result captured the spirit of transition that characterised the event a blend of experience meeting rising ambition.
The championship concluded with a dignified closing ceremony attended by members of the UCF Executive Committee and led by the UCF President. In his address, he commended the players for their resilience and fighting spirit throughout the demanding schedule, noting that the championship demonstrated both the depth of talent and the evolving competitive standards of Ugandan chess.
With the national team now confirmed, attention shifts to preparations for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, where Uganda will join federations from across the globe in the most prestigious team event on the international chess calendar.
Photos: Ivan Mukuye, Bani Chess – Arthur Mukunya