Kireka A Chess Club eyes continued dominance in National Chess League

Kireka A Chess Club believes it has what it takes to dominate the national chess league and secure top accolades for years to come.

The club recently defended its National Premier Bet League title for the sixth consecutive time, narrowly edging out Mulago Kings, who finished second.

After 14 rounds of intense competition, Kireka A emerged victorious with 12 wins and two draws, while Mulago Kings secured 12 wins, one draw, and one loss. The league, organized by the Uganda Chess Federation (UCF), featured 57 clubs and over 1,247 classical games, making it the largest and longest-running chess league on the continent.

Kireka A’s success was fueled by top players such as Fide Masters (FM) Patrick Kawuma, Haruna Nsubuga, and Bob Bibasa, alongside strong female players like Woman Fide Masters (WFM) Peninah Nakabo and Joyce Nyaruwayi. Club administrator Ivan Kaddu attributed their dominance to meticulous preparation and organization.

Mulago Kings, led by FM Harold Wanyama, Majol Manyang, and Abdul Gaba, put up a strong fight, finishing just one point behind Kireka A. Soroti Club came in third.

Kireka A received a trophy and sh10 million, intended for purchasing land, while Mulago Kings and Soroti Club were awarded sh2 million and sh1.5 million, respectively. A total of sh24 million was distributed among participating clubs, with each receiving at least sh100,000.

UCF General Secretary Patrick Ojok praised the league for attracting nearly 700 players, including women and juniors, and noted that other countries are adopting Uganda’s inclusive approach. UCF President Emmanuel Mwaka thanked sponsors for their support and highlighted upcoming tournaments, including the Kantinti Memorial in March, the SOM Easter Tournament in April, and the national schools Fr. Grimes Tournament in May.