The Uganda Chess Federation has selected a team of ten players for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, following the conclusion of the 2026 National Chess Championship. The event, held over three weeks at Sports View Hotel in Kireka, featured intense round-robin competition among the country's top players. Five men and five women qualified through a rigorous selection process.
The 2026 Uganda National Chess Championship, organized by the Uganda Chess Federation, wrapped up after three consecutive weekends and 11 rounds of classical chess in a round-robin format. This Super 12 tournament determined Uganda's representatives for the 46th Chess Olympiad, scheduled from September 15 to 28, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which is expected to draw nearly 200 countries. Qualification involved top performers from five Olympiad Circuit events—the Uganda Open, Kireka Open, Rwabushenyi Memorial, Zabasajja Memorial, and Kantinti Memorial Open—plus the National Junior Champion and a wildcard.
In the open section, Wasswa Nyola Mark, a student at Kampala University, topped the standings with 8.5 points out of 11, securing the national title. His key victories included wins over FIDE Master Harold Wamanya and FM Bob Bibasa, while he prevailed in tiebreaks against FM Patrick Kawuma, Candidate Master Egesa Emmanuel, and national coach Mathias Sonko. The men's team consists of Wasswa Nyola Mark (8.5), FM Patrick Kawuma (7.5), FM Bob Bibasa (7), CM Egesa Emmanuel (6.5), and FM Haruna Nsubuga (6.5).
The women's section highlighted a generational shift, producing Uganda's youngest Olympiad team with four qualifiers under 20. Woman International Master Sana Kayyar Omprakash led with 9 points, clinching the title by defeating defending champion WCM Shakira Ampaire. The team includes Omprakash (9), Asiimwe Olivia (8), WCM Asaba Juliet (7.5), WCM Shakira Ampaire (7.5), and WCM Kawuma Patricia (7.5). Notable moments included Suhana Yadav's win over WCM Asaba Juliet, underscoring emerging youth talent affiliated with clubs like KTLCA Chess Club.
WCM Shakira Ampaire, rated 1753 and a 2024 Olympiad veteran from Budapest, expressed enthusiasm: “I’m so grateful and happy to represent the women in chess. Our team is mostly comprised of juniors, so I will try to pass on my experience and composure to my teammates.” She aims to improve on past performances. The closing ceremony, attended by UCF executives, featured the president's commendation of the players' resilience and the depth of Ugandan chess talent. Attention now turns to preparations for the Olympiad, alongside the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities in the same city.
