Jinja City is set to host the inaugural Eastern Uganda Chess Championship this Friday, bringing together more than 200 players from Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan in a landmark event aimed at growing the sport across the region.
Organised by the Eastern Uganda Chess Association, the championship is expected to attract both elite and emerging players as organisers seek to popularise chess and strengthen grassroots participation in Eastern Uganda.
Association chairperson Abbey Mawerere said the tournament is part of a broader strategy to expand the game to more districts, noting that chess is currently actively played in only 25 of the region's 40 districts.
“Chess in Uganda started from Eastern Uganda under the stewardship of Rev. Fr. Grimes, so we are bringing it back—and this time round we want to make it bigger,” Mawerere said.
He said the championship would also be the first national-level chess tournament to be hosted in Jinja City, marking an important milestone for the sport in the region.
Mawerere revealed that the tournament has already attracted some of Uganda’s top-rated players, including Arthur Ssegwanyi and Harold Wanyama, as well as competitors from Tanzania and South Sudan.
He said the international participation reflects the growing appeal and competitiveness of the championship.
Eastern Uganda Chess Championships General Secretary Allan Mbabani said the organisers had introduced attractive prize money to encourage participation across different categories.
The winner of the Open category will receive Shs2.5 million, while the first and second runners-up will earn Shs1.5 million and Shs800,000, respectively.
A special prize of Shs250,000 will also be awarded to the best veteran player aged 50 years and above.
In the women's category, the winner will take home Shs1.5 million, while the first and second runners-up will receive Shs1 million and Shs500,000, respectively.
The junior champion will receive a trophy, gold medal and a sports bicycle, while the runners-up will be awarded silver and bronze medals, along with school bags.
Local chess coach James Mukwaya described the championship as a significant milestone for the region.
“This is a historic moment since it is the first tournament of its kind in this region,” Mukwaya said.
Organisers believe the championship will provide a platform for both emerging and established players to showcase their talent while encouraging more young people and districts to embrace chess, strengthening the sport's development across Eastern Uganda.
