Dove Junior Chess Championship 2026: Building Champions, One Move at a Time
Publicity Secretary
Dove Junior Chess Championship 2026: 193 Young Players Shine in Uganda’s Growing Chess Movement
The 9th edition of the Dove Junior Chess Championship closed with a clear statement: Junior Chess in Uganda is growing in both numbers and quality. Organized by Dove Chess Academy, the 2026 event brought together 193 young players from schools and clubs across the country, underscoring the steady rise of the game in classrooms and communities.
A Decade of Steady Growth
Dove Chess Academy was founded in 2017 by Woman FIDE Master Christine Namaganda, a former national women’s champion and Olympian. Supported initially by the Novato Chess Club in California and later by Rotary partners, the academy began with a simple goal:
Put chessboards into the hands of children and create regular, well-run competitions that develop critical thinking, discipline and confidence.
What started as modest gatherings has evolved into a recognized annual series. Earlier editions included the 2021 online championship that drew players from nine countries, the 2023 Easter Junior Open with more than 230 participants, and successive in-person events that steadily increased school-team involvement. By 2025 the championship attracted 168 players; in 2026 the field grew further to 193. Themes over the years have ranged from “Chess and Wellbeing” to “Social Connectedness” and “Chess and Mental Health,” reflecting the academy’s broader educational purpose.
The 2026 Championship – Key Outcomes
Players competed in age categories from Under-8 to Under-20. Gold, silver and bronze medals, trophies and certificates were awarded in both open and best-female sections. Several overall prizes sponsored by Hisense added extra incentive:
- Hisense Microwave – overall winners in the younger age groups (boys and girls U08–U12)
- Hisense Fridge – overall winners in U14 & U16 (boys and girls)
- 50-inch Hisense TV – overall winners in U18 & U20 (boys and girls)
Category Champions
Under-8
- Boys: Mborifuko Stanley (7 pts) – Gold + Trophy; Matayo Barigye (6) – Silver; Vyom Verma (5) – Bronze
- Girls: Mbabazi Jacinta (6) – Gold + Trophy; Aretha Karabo Kembabazi (5) – Silver; Nabyalu Patricia (5) – Bronze
Under-10
- Boys: Tumusiime Francis (6½) – Gold + Trophy; AFM Hathi Yug (5½) – Silver; Fateh Singh (5) – Bronze
- Best Female: Edinansi Melisa (6) – Gold + Trophy; Masha Kirabo (5) – Silver; Katushabe Katrina (4½) – Bronze
Under-12
- Boys: Wabwire Ronald (7) – Gold + Trophy; Mukisa Elvin (6) – Silver; Mahanta Bhavik Shah (5½) – Bronze
- Best Female: Kahubire Regina Jasmine (5) – Gold + Trophy; Garikapati Srivalli (4) – Silver; Nakaweesa Jireh Nicole Walusimbi (4) – Bronze
Under-14
- Boys: Odokonyero Daniel (7) – Gold + Trophy; Ahumuza Apollo (5) – Silver; Edel Edwin (4) – Bronze
- Best Female: WCM Asaba Juliet (6) – Gold + Trophy; Suhana Anil Yadav (4) – Silver; Lutaaya Antonia Delight Viviana (3½) – Bronze
Under-16
- Boys: Baguma Innocent (6½) – Gold + Trophy; Muhirwa Alvin (6) – Silver; AFM Shoubhith Omprakash Kayyar (5½) – Bronze
- Best Female: Asiimwe Olivia (4) – Gold + Trophy; Dasha Zalwango Kibuule (4) – Silver; Katongole Trevis Kizito (4) – Bronze
Under-18
- Boys: Kur Akut Deng (7) – Gold + Trophy; Mulindwa Joram Leighton (4) – Silver; Chaurasiya Himansu Kumar (4) – Bronze
- Girls: WIM Sana Omprakash Kayyar (6) – Gold + Trophy; Sherry Ariella Agaba (4½) – Silver; Atella Patience Angel (4) – Bronze
Under-20
- Boys: Alfene Ambdullah (4½) – Gold + Trophy; ACM Mubiru Josephmary (4) – Silver; Lugemwa Kevin (2) – Bronze
- Girls: Rugambwa Daisy Osijali (3) – Gold + Trophy; Kakooza Daniella Babirye (2) – Silver
A special cash prize of UGX 100,000 each was awarded in the U12 category to Wabwire Ronald and Kahubire Regina Jasmine.
School rankings
- The Stoneridge School Kira Nsasa – Champions Trophy
- Aga Khan Primary – First Runners-Up
- Green Hill Academy Kibuli – Second Runners-Up
Partners and Purpose
The championship was made possible by the support of parents, schools (including Stone Ridge, Aga Khan, Greenhill Academy, Kitala, Nambuye PS, Aion International, De North Green School, Shree Sajan, St. Aloysius SS, Kamwokya Teens Club And Academy (KTCA), Herrnhut Chess Club and Mercedolion Chess) and independent families.
Special thanks went to title sponsors Novato Chess Club and Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley, as well as the Uganda Chess Federation under President Andrew Bakiza for continued guidance. Coaches, arbiters and volunteers completed the team that delivered a smooth and competitive event.
In her message after the tournament,
WFM Christine Namaganda, Founder of Dove Chess Academy, expressed gratitude to every participant, parent, school and partner. She described the 193-player turnout as “a testament to the growing love for chess in our schools and communities” and reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 edition continues a clear trajectory: more players, stronger school involvement, meaningful prizes and a focus on both competitive excellence and personal development. For the children who competed, the experience offered more than medals — it provided structured competition, sportsmanship and the quiet satisfaction of improving move by move.
Dove Chess Academy’s work shows that consistent organization, reliable partnerships and a clear educational vision can steadily expand the base of junior chess in Uganda. The 9th edition has added another solid chapter to that story.
GALLERY
