Kyobutungi, Nuwareeba spark chess boom in Mitooma after national wins

After delivering impressive performances at the recent National Juniors Chess Championship, young chess stars Janet Kyobutungi and Talent Nuwareeba have significantly boosted the sport's popularity in the rural Mitooma District.

The two students from Holistic Junior School have inspired a surge in interest in chess, attracting more participants both at their school and in neighboring institutions.

Kyobutungi (8) and Nuwareeba (15) won gold and bronze medals, respectively, at the January event held in Ntinda, Kampala. Their success has sparked widespread enthusiasm in Mitooma, with many pupils now taking up the sport at a beginner level.

Siliano Turyatemba, the driving force behind the introduction of chess in Mitooma, noted a significant increase in the number of new players at Holistic Junior School and other local schools since the start of the term.

“We’ve seen a remarkable rise in chess enrollment at Holistic Junior and nearby schools, thanks to the national-level achievements of these young players. Their success is inspiring others to join, which is a big step forward for the sport,” Turyatemba said.

Interestingly, these young stars lack professional coaching, unlike many of their peers. However, their unwavering passion and eagerness to learn from one another have been key to their success, enabling them to excel at a national competition.

Kyobutungi, a Primary 3 pupil, scored 4 out of 8 points to clinch the gold medal in the U9 category. Meanwhile, Nuwareeba secured 6 points from 5 wins and 2 draws, earning bronze in a competition ultimately won by Sana Omprakash Kayyar.

Holistic Junior School Mitooma sent seven participants across various age categories. Three of them—Nuwareeba, Kyobutungi, and Esther Katusiime, who finished 4th in the U12 category—qualified for the continental championship, whose venue and date are yet to be announced.

The National Juniors Chess Championship is Uganda’s most prestigious youth chess tournament for players under 20 and serves as a qualifier for continental and international events.

Turyatemba is optimistic that by the time of the continental championship, the trio will receive the professional guidance they need to perform even better on the bigger stage.