FM Haruna Nsubuga defends SOM Easter Chess tournament title

SOM Easter Chess Winners

Open Category

Men

FM Haruna Nsubuga – 7 points

FM Harold Wanyama – 7 points

CM Emmanuel Egesa – 6 points

Women

WCM Juliet Asaba – 7 points

Olivia Asiimwe – 6 points

Joan Ahereza – 5.5 points

FIDE Master Haruna Nsubuga successfully defended his title at the third edition of the SOM Easter Chess Tournament, emerging as the winner in the Open men's category.

He scored 7 points in the eight rounds of the Swiss-format tournament, edging FM Harold Wanyama on a tiebreak after defeating him in round five.

The victory earned him 1 million shillings from the overall 32 million shillings prize kitty after four days of competition at the SOM headquarters in Makindye.

Wanyama received a silver medal and 700,000 shillings, while Egesa took bronze and 500,000 shillings.

"I am happy to have defended the title, but it was a tough competition that attracted many elite players. I remained unbeaten, drawing only twice against South Sudan players. This tournament, and others to come, are part of my preparation for the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan this September," said Nsubuga.

In the women's category, Woman Candidate Master Juliet Asaba, a junior player from KTCLA Chess Club in Kamwokya, also scored 7 points to claim the title, trophy, and a cash prize of 1 million shillings.

Asaba has won back-to-back accolades after claiming the 2025 National Open Championship, the Africa Youth title in the Under-14 category, and the National Women's Day Chess Open last month.

She attributed her victory to ongoing preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Fr. Grimes National Schools Championship and the African Youth Chess Championship, which Uganda will host in Entebbe.

Her KTCLA teammate Olivia Asiimwe won silver to bag 700,000 shillings, while Joan Ahereza took bronze and 500,000 shillings.

"It was a tough event, but I played without pressure while respecting my opponents. This win gives me confidence ahead of the major tournaments. It is part of my training," said Asaba, a Primary Seven pupil at Sister Durgan Primary School in Kamwokya.

The top seven players in both the men's and women's Open categories received cash prizes.

Tournament organizer Robert Katende commended parents, local leaders from Katwe, technical officials, and participants, noting the steady growth of the competition, which featured players from Uganda and South Sudan.

"This success builds on the journey we started 20 years ago as Katwe Chess Club. Today, chess has spread across the country," Katende said during the prize-giving ceremony.

The tournament attracted 150 participants, including 43 juniors who competed in the U20, U16, U14, U12, and U10 categories. Winners in these sections received scholastic materials, medals, trophies, chess boards, smart watches, and cash prizes.

Gold medal winners in the different age group categories included Israel Mugarula and Margaret Nakasi in the U10 boys and girls respectively, Austin Nsubuga and Husnah Nakato in the U12, Keithem Omara and Ester Nakanda in the U14, Humphrey Kajoba and Shakinah Birungi in the U16, and Evelyn Namugalu and Joshua Kirabo in the U20.

Notable emerging talent was observed among junior players from clubs in Kiboga, Kawempe, Caltec Academy, Katwe, KTCLA, and Bwaise, many of whom secured podium finishes.