Kireka Chess Club was started in 1994 with the aim of providing a platform for residents in Kireka, then a suburb in Kampala District to play chess. Initially operating informally as a community based organization, Kireka Chess Club has grown into a regional not for profit organization which has groomed a number of chess players through tournaments such as the annual Kireka Open Chess Championship and its teams, Kireka A and Kireka Panthers which have dominated the Uganda Chess League since time immemorial. We believe that the attributes of chess such as strategy and calculation skills can be used to positively impact people’s lives and create value addition.
Our Mission
To use chess as a tool too positively transform the livelihoods of people in the East African community through community outreaches and partnerships.
Our Vision
To create a competitive and professional chess community and culture that enriches the livelihoods of chess players.
Objectives
To increase the awareness of chess and its benefits to people’s day to day lives.
To provide platforms which promote chess competition and professionalism in
the East African Community.
Values
Respect,
Professionalism
Transparency & Accountability
Diversity & Inclusion.
ABOUT KIREKA OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
Kireka Open Chess Championship is one of the flagship events of Kireka Chess Club. It has been happening annually towards the end of each year since the year of our Lord 2016. It is one of the most contested and anticipated tournament across the East Africa region. It features the open category, ladies category and juniors category.
The inaugural edition was held in 2016 with a host of big name players such as IM Ssegwanyi Arthur, FM Wanyama Harold, FM Kawuma Patrick, FM Haruna Nsubuga, CM Magana Benjamin and veterans like Nsubuga Grace Daniel, Barumba Enoch, Ssentongo Edward and Bibasa Bob. IM Ssegwanyi Arthur won the tournament on tiebreak with a score of 7 points out of 8 games after he tied for first place with FM Haruna Nsubuga. The tournament also witnessed the rise of young upcoming players such as Basangwa Johnson who came in 4th place and Ngabijainitho Peter Jaker. The ladies category was contested by Uganda's leading female players such as WFMs Amoko Ivy, Namaganda Christine and Angoilikin Goretti among others. Top seed Amoko Ivy obliterated the field with a record setting and stunning score of 7.5 points out of 8 games, 1 point clear of the rest of the pack.
The 2017 edition was contested by all the top players in Uganda and could easily go down as the strongest local tournament ever played on Uganda soil. This time FM Wanyama Harold emerged victorious in the open section with a score of 7.5 points out of 8 games while WFM Amoko Ivy defended her title with relative ease with a score of 5.5 points out of 8 games. This edition also saw the rise of youngster Matovu Abel to the limelight and Kafuko Paul. The edition also featured an U1600 category which was won by Serwada jimmy on tiebreak after he tied for first with Mpalanyi Isaac and Wagaba gift. This edition is also famous for Isiko Simon Patrick's immortal game against Waira Ibrahim where he unleashed a knight sacrifice on f6 on move 21 before ripping apart Waira's position into a mating net. A summary of the results can be found here Link
The 2018 edition was as usual hotly contested. This time Lubega Solomon took the honors on tiebreak with a score of 7 points after tying for first place with IM Emojong Elijah. WFM Angoilikin Goretti took first place in the ladies category with a score of 5.5 points. The edition saw the gradual rise of Kafuko Paul who tied for third place. It also announced the entry of Takali Milly on the chess scene after she came second in the ladies category. The unrated section was won by Ssemanda Kevin with 9 points two and a half points ahead of the chasing pack. A summary of the results can be found here Link
The 2019 edition didn't disappoint. With a number of players from South Sudan, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Kenya in the mix, it was meant to be a thriller of a contest. In the end however, it was IM Ssegwanyi Arthur who came out on top with a score of 7.5 points out of 8 games after tying for first place with FM Kawuma Patrick. In the ladies category, WFM Angoilikin Goretti defended her title with a score of 5 points. The tournament saw the rise of Masiko Ezekiel to the chess scene when he tied for third place. Ssematimba John emerged victorious in the junior section with a respectable 7 points out of 8 games to win the title on tiebreak from Kidde Praise Rodney who also scored 7 points. A summary of the results can be found here link
The tournament did not happen in 2020 because of the lockdown induced by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It however bounced back in 2021. Once again, IM Ssegwanyi Arthur proved a formidable force to reckon with when he defended his title for the second consecutive year with 7.5 points ahead of the trio of Gong Thon Gong, Ssali Julius and Egesa Emmanuel who tied for second place with 6.5 points. Promising youngster Kawuma Patricia took home her maiden Ladies category title with a score of 4.5 points. Senyange Mahad outmuscled his compatriots with 5.5 points out of 6 games to take home the Junior's crown. A summary of the link can be found here Link
The 2022 edition proved to be a romantic affair after the love birds IM Ssegwanyi Arthur and Nakabo Peninah won the open and ladies categories consecutively. IM Ssegwanyi Arthur won his third consecutive title in a row with a score of 7.5 points ahead of the quartet of CM Egesa Emmanuel, Peter Majur Manyang, Deng Ateny Riak and FM Haruna Nsubuga while Nakabo Peninah won his maiden Ladies category title with a score of 6 points (the highest scored by a Lady in the open category in the history of this tournament) ahead of WCM Ampaire Shakira and Takali Milly who came second and third consecutively. Nambohe Arnold made history when he scored 7 points out of 7 games to win the Juniors section ahead of the quintet of Kigozi Calvin, Muhumuza Elijah, Kiyimba Mercellino, Ndawula Jonathan and Nsubuga Jayson Mubiru who tied for second place. A summary of the results can be found here link
Credit | Kafuko Paul
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Mr. Lubega, the proprietor of Gloria Gardens poses for a photo with IM Ssegwanyi Arthur and Nakabo Peninah.
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Nakabo Peninah receives her trophy from the Marketing Manager of UAP Insurance.
Kireka Chess Club has once again proven its dominance in Ugandan chess, securing its seventh consecutive title in the prestigious Premier Bet Uganda Chess League 2024/25. This historic victory further cements Kireka’s position as the most successful club in the league’s history.
This season was truly exceptional, the largest in Africa, featuring teams from Kenya, Somalia, Mogadishu, and South Sudan. With 57 clubs and 700 players, including men, women, and differently abled players, the league showcased the true spirit of competitive chess across the region.
The final showdown saw Kireka Chess Club edge out Mulago Kings Chess Club and Soroti Chess Club, who finished second and third, respectively. Kireka’s triumph earned them a grand prize of UGX 10,000,000, while the second and third-placed teams took home UGX 2,000,000 and UGX 1,500,000, respectively. A total of UGX 24,000,000 was distributed among participating teams, ensuring broad support for chess development across the country.
The 2024/25 season was the longest in history, with fixtures suspended four times due to international engagements. Uganda Chess Federation President Emmanuel Mwaka praised the resilience of players and organizers, stating: “This was a tough but rewarding season. The inclusion of international teams made it even more competitive, and we are proud of the level of chess displayed.”
This season also witnessed the return of Makumbi Godfrey, widely regarded as the greatest Ugandan chess player of all time. Makumbi, who won gold at the 1996 Chess Olympiad, remains the only Ugandan to achieve such a feat, making his participation in this year’s league a moment of inspiration for young players.
Rapid Chess: Mulago Kings Chess Club took the top spot, followed by Soroti Chess Club and Kireka Chess Club.
Blitz Chess: Soroti Chess Club emerged victorious, with Gambit Chess Club finishing second and Mulago Kings Chess Club securing third place.
kireka Chess Club, under the guidance of patron Were Bob and captains Musasizi Emmanuel, Kafuko Paul, Kaddu Ivan, and Mukose Emmanuel, remains committed to nurturing the next generation of champions
As we celebrate this historic win, Kireka Chess Club remains dedicated to promoting excellence, discipline, and growth in chess across Uganda and beyond. Stay connected with us for more updates on upcoming tournaments and training programs!
The 6th edition of Kireka Open Chess Championship concluded with IM Ssegwanyi Arthur defending his title in the open category with the same score of 7.5 points as in the 5th edition.
