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Kampala, Uganda (Gloria Gardens Namugongo)— International Master Ssegwanyi Arthur reaffirmed his dominance on the regional chess scene by winning the 2025 Kireka Closed Chess Tournament in commanding fashion. Finishing with an impressive 8/9, Ssegwanyi secured the title with a round to spare, cementing his place as the number one player in East and Central Africa.

Trailing behind the champion was FM Kawuma Patrick, who secured second place with a solid performance, while CM Nyola Wasswa Mark completed the podium in third place. The tournament featured a mix of East Africa’s strong juniors and emerging talents, making for a competitive and spirited event.

One of the standout performances came from Muhirwa Alvin, who was awarded Best Junior. His rise has been visible by his stunning victories over FM Nsubuga Haruna and Kamoga Rajab in back-to-back rounds. These upset wins are a clear indication of Alvin’s rapid improvement and growing reputation on the national stage.

Rapid Section

The Rapid Section of the tournament attracted a competitive field, with the highest-rated participant at 2326 and the lowest-rated participant at 1556. Despite the ratings, the intensity of play was high, and it served as a fertile ground for emerging players to test their mettle against more experienced opponents.

Blitz Section

In the Blitz Section, FM Kawuma Patrick demonstrated his lightning-fast calculation skills to take the top spot. He was closely followed by Wanyama Harold, another prominent figure in Ugandan chess, while Sangalo Moris surprised many by finishing third. Despite a period of inactivity, Moris proved he still possesses the sharpness and instinct that once made him a feared opponent on the board.

Female Recognition

The Best Female Player award went to Sana Omprakash, who showed consistency throughout the tournament. Her presence was a welcome reminder of the growing strength and participation of women in Ugandan chess.

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The 2025 Kireka Closed Chess Tournament was not just a battle for titles, but a celebration of talent, growth, and the unrelenting passion for the game. With stars like Ssegwanyi shining brighter than ever, and juniors like Alvin Muhirwa making their mark, the future of Ugandan chess looks incredibly promising.

Credit Were Samuel

Kireka Chess Club

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Kireka Chess Club held a vibrant Victory Party on April 26th, 2025, at Gloria Gardens, Namugongo, to honor the club’s extraordinary achievements in recent high-profile tournaments. The celebration marked a historic moment: Kireka’s 7th Uganda National Chess League title, cementing the club’s status as the undisputed powerhouse of Ugandan chess.

The joyous gathering brought together club members, supporters, executives from the Uganda Chess Federation, and international well-wishers. The atmosphere was electric with celebration—filled with speeches, awards, music, and laughter—as the club paid tribute to a season of dominance and regional victories.

At the heart of the celebration were three significant achievements:

• IM Arthur Ssegwanyi, Kireka’s flagship player, clinched the 2025 Kantinti Memorial Tournament Open Section title with 5.5/6 points, showcasing his dominance on home soil.

• WFM Sana Omprakash, also representing Kireka, took the crown in the Ladies’ Section of the same tournament, reinforcing the club’s strength in both male and female categories.

• Samuel Were, a long-time Kireka player, secured a perfect 6/6 victory at the Bungoma Open in Kenya, a feat made possible through sponsorship from Kireka patron Mr. Were Bob, who personally funded his participation.

These victories were not just individual milestones — they reflected the deep bench of talent, mentorship, and unity that defines Kireka Chess Club.

Award presentations to players and contributors, recognizing outstanding performances throughout the season.

• Best Female Player – WFM Nakabo Peninah, for her consistent and inspiring performance across tournaments.

• Best Male Player – CM Egesa Emmanuel, for his exceptional board results and critical wins throughout the league.

• Best Junior Player – Muhirwa Alvin, a rising star whose resilience and growth marked him as one to watch in Ugandan chess.

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A special tribute to Mr. Were Bob, the club’s esteemed patron, whose unwavering support continues to elevate Kireka players to regional and international stages. he also quoted Award presentations to the club’s top performers, including personalized plaques and tokens of appreciation.

“Kireka is not just a club—it is a family of champions. These victories reflect our hard work, our unity, and our vision to lead chess development in Uganda and beyond.”

Recognition of team captains and coaches whose leadership was instrumental in guiding the club to its historic seventh Uganda National Chess League title.

As the celebrations wound down, focus turned to the future. With the National Chess Championship and other FIDE-rated events on the horizon, Kireka Chess Club is more motivated than ever to maintain its momentum.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to mentorship, youth training programs, and regional outreach, ensuring that the club remains a breeding ground for the next generation of chess stars.

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Kireka Chess Club continues to set the standard — not only through competitive excellence but by cultivating a strong community bound by the love of the game.

Credit

Samuel Were

Photo Credit: Gotham

Mombasa, Kenya – May 29, 2025

Kireka Chess Club once again cemented its status as a powerhouse in nurturing young chess talent, following a brilliant performance by three of its standout players — Asaba Juliet, Muhirwa Alvin, and Wabwire Ronald — at the prestigious 2025 African Schools Individual Chess Championships, held from May 22nd to 29th in Mombasa, Kenya 🇰🇪.

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🌟 Asaba Juliet – Golden Glory in U13 Girls

A true prodigy and pride of Kireka Chess Club, Asaba Juliet delivered a sensational performance in the U13 Girls category. Scoring a near-perfect 8/9, she was crowned African Champion, earning Uganda’s only gold medal at the event. Already the reigning Uganda Open Ladies Champion, Asaba’s dominance continues to inspire the next generation of female players. Her result qualifies her for the Conditional Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title upon reaching a 1900 Elo rating.

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🥉 Muhirwa Alvin – Bronze in U15 Open

In the fiercely competitive U15 Open section, Muhirwa Alvin displayed exceptional resilience and tactical prowess. With a strong 7/9 score, he secured a well-deserved bronze medal, making him eligible for the Conditional Candidate Master (CM) title upon attaining a 2000 Elo rating. Alvin, long regarded as one of Uganda’s most promising young minds, continues to fulfill the high expectations set by his coaches and mentors at Kireka Chess Club.

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🥈 Ronald Wabwire – Silver in U11 Open

The ever-consistent Ronald Wabwire proved why he was a category favorite in the U11 Open. Finishing unbeaten with 7.5 points, Ronald clinched the silver medal, showcasing maturity and composure well beyond his years. His performance also qualifies him for the Conditional Candidate Master (CM) title upon reaching a 2000 Elo rating.

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💬 Special Thanks to Bob Were

Kireka Chess Club wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Bob Were, whose generous contribution made it possible for Asaba, Alvin, and Ronald to travel and participate in this prestigious continental championship. His support covered vital tournament expenses and ensured that these young talents represented both the club and Uganda with pride and excellence.

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♟️ A Club That Breeds Champions

These achievements are not only a testament to the individual brilliance of Asaba, Alvin, and Ronald but also to the unwavering commitment of Kireka Chess Club to developing chess talent through mentorship, training, and competitive exposure.

With such inspiring performances on the continental stage, Kireka Chess Club continues to lead by example, setting the bar high for youth chess development in Uganda and beyond.

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Congratulations to our champions – Asaba, Alvin, and Ronald – for making Kireka Chess Club and Uganda proud! 🇺🇬✨

Credit : Samuel Were

Photo credit : Chess Kenya

The 2024 Kireka Open Chess Championship, proudly organized and hosted by Kireka Chess Club, concluded in spectacular fashion on December 31st at Sports View Hotel, Kireka. This year’s edition reaffirmed the tournament’s reputation as one of Uganda’s premier chess events, drawing top-tier players from across East Africa and beyond, including South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Rwanda.

Spanning four days from December 28th to 31st, the event delivered thrilling encounters across all categories. After a dramatic tiebreak showdown, Matovu Abel emerged as the ultimate champion, finishing with an impressive 7/8 points. Despite a shaky start with a first-round loss, Matovu demonstrated unshakable resilience, defeating formidable opponents and clinching victory in the final tiebreak against FM Haruna Nsubuga, who also scored 7/8. Ngong Samuel Gai from South Sudan completed the top three with 6.5 points, edging out Ssonko Matthias on tie-breaks.

The Ladies’ Category was a fierce battlefield, eventually won by Nakabo Peninah with 6.5 points, showcasing both her strength and determination. She was closely pursued by WCM Ndirangu Joyce Nyaruai (Kenya), WFM Sana Omprakash Kayyar, and Kaloki Zuri (Kenya), each scoring 6 points. Ahereza Joan rounded out the top five with 5.5 points.

A major highlight of this year’s edition was the outstanding performance of junior players. Ahumuza Apollo and Ninsiima Patricia claimed top honors in the junior section, with several young participants holding seasoned players to drawn games — a clear testament to the region’s growing chess talent pool.

Other category winners included:

• Shafiq Muhebwa (SOM Academy) – Best Game of the Tournament

• Mawanda Michael – U1900 Section Champion

• Samuel Thon Ayuen – U1800 Category Winner
• Thon Mading Ngang – U1600 Champion
• Kaamu Joseph – 50+ Category Masterclass Winner

The Kireka Open Chess Championship 2024 was not just another event — it was a celebration of strategic brilliance, international camaraderie, and grassroots development, all made possible by the vision and dedication of Kireka Chess Club. Spearheaded by club patron Mr. Were Bob and supported by the Uganda Chess Federation, the tournament has grown to become a staple in the national and regional chess calendar.

With its consistent delivery of top-level organization, diverse participation, and competitive intensity, the Kireka Open continues to fulfill Kireka Chess Club’s mission of elevating chess standards in Uganda and across East Africa.

As the curtains close on this unforgettable edition, one thing is clear — Kireka Chess Club remains at the heart of East African chess excellence.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/108GNsa2-8ZJ4-yWVx1uH4XGzOM6YFw0s?usp=sharing for more photos

Credit: Samuel Were

Kireka Chess Club

Kireka Chess Club is proud to celebrate one of its finest talents, Samuel Were, who delivered a commanding performance to emerge champion of the 2024 Bungoma Open Chess Championship, held over the weekend in Bungoma, Kenya.

Were, a seasoned player and proud representative of Kireka Chess Club, claimed the Open Section title with a perfect score of 6/6, showcasing both technical brilliance and nerves of steel. His victory was punctuated by a dramatic final-round encounter with rising junior star Agoot Abuk, in which Were, despite being down a queen, executed a relentless tactical sequence that forced Abuk to part with his rook. The endgame mastery displayed was nothing short of vintage Were.

This emphatic win saw Were dethrone Kenya’s reigning champion Mehul Gohil, breaking the latter’s long-standing dominance at the Bungoma event. Were’s run was unaffected by other upsets in the field, including Patrick Kawuma—another Ugandan favorite—being held to a draw by Abuk.

Importantly, this success was made possible by the generous support of Kireka Chess Club patron Mr. Were Bob, who sponsored Samuel Were’s participation in the tournament. His continued commitment to nurturing chess excellence has once again borne fruit.

In the Ladies’ section, Jully Mutisya of Equity Bank Chess Club lived up to her billing as the top seed. Despite an early-round upset, she rallied with focus and determination, finishing on 5/6 points. Mutisya, a key player on Kenya’s national team, leveraged her vast experience to secure the title.

The 2024 Bungoma Open attracted 150 players from across Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Algeria, and South Sudan, making it a true celebration of regional chess talent. As the final open tournament of the year, it served as a perfect build-up to the National Chess Championship, set to be held from December 11–15, 2024, at Makini School in Nairobi.

Samuel Were’s triumph is not just a personal victory but a moment of pride for Kireka Chess Club. His discipline, composure, and excellence over the board embody the values the club continues to instill in all its players. Were’s victory is a testament to the competitive training environment and strong mentorship culture fostered at Kireka.

As we look ahead to more events and milestones, Kireka Chess Club remains committed to shaping champions, promoting chess excellence, and flying the Ugandan flag high across international boards.

Credit Samuel Were (Kireka Chess Club)