Mbabazi unbeaten, Edinansi leads as Uganda dominates Africa Youth Chess Championship

Ugandan chess players maintained their strong showing in the 17th edition of the Africa Youth Chess Championship, currently underway at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, delivering strong performances across the six age categories. 

After six rounds on Wednesday, Jacinta Mbabazi was still unbeaten in the U-8 girls’ category and was a point ahead of Kenyan Aaliyay Jasmine McKenzie. Mbabazi opened her campaign with a win over compatriot Aretha Karabo Kembabazi, who was on 2.5 points, before more wins over Kenyans Zoey Njeri Ngugi and Kanda Luana Kalya, as well as South African Coetzee Niki and Egyptian Kamel Romaisaa.

Uganda-s Sherry, Ariella Agaba (left) takes on South African Mojaki, Tshegofatso in the U-18 categpry in Entebbe. Photo by Michael Nsubugs

In the U-8 open category, Kenya, which has the biggest entry of participants across the different categories, had its player, Rayvon Kirega, on top with six points ahead of Egyptian Mahmoud Sameir Zeineldin on 5.5 points, where Ugandans, Matayo Barigye, Ramadan Mborifuko and Samuel Kaweesi, were on five points each alongside Kenyan Mathias Kariuki and Namibian Adam Wahengo. 

With three rounds to go, Uganda remains a dominant force in the U-10 girls’ category, with two of its players, Melisa Edinansi and Janet Kobutungi, leading with 6 and 5 points, respectively.

Among Kobutungi’s victims were three Kenyans, including Riya Hansini, who was on four points. She also beat Ugandan Keza Kyla Bugingo and Motswana Fidzani Ame Atang.

On her part, Edinansi beat Egyptian and South African opponents, Fatma Said Tawfeik and Madalisto Ramonyaluoe, who were on four points each after Sunday’s action, as well as Kenyans Shelley Consolata Mugure Mariga and Skylar Mbithe Munyao. 

Uganda's KEZA Katongole (left) registers her moves against Zambian Carol Ndolvu during the Africa Youth Chess Championship at the Imperail Botanical Beach Hotel, May 19, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

In the U-10 open category, Uganda’s Arena Candidate Master (ACM) Hathi Yug was trailing Egyptian Ahmed Ezaat Hamza by a half point. After six rounds, Uganda’s best players in the U-12 girls cluster were Talia Atubet, Chanelle Manuela Okurut and Tosha Torana, all on five points alongside Ahmed Mohamed Ghida (Egypt), Nechitima Nyasha (Zimbabwe), Vankhendekar Nikhil Nitya and Riley Matingi (Kenya). WCM Kenyan Winnie Kaburo led this category on 6 points. 

In the open category, Ronald Wabwire was joint top with five others on 5.5 points each. In the U-14 girls category, Uganda’s Woman Candidate Master Juliet Asaba was trailing the leader, Egyptian WCM Ahmed Mohamed Zaka, by 1.5 points, while Ruth Thelma Muganzi Lukanga was second by half a point.

In the U-16 girls’ event, Olivia Asiimwe was top with 5.5 points ahead of Egyptian Alaa Eldin Raghad and WFM Kenyan Elizabeth Maina, who were on five points each. 

The defending champion in the U-18 girls’ category, Sana Omprakash Kayyar, was still trailing by a point below WIM Mohamed Zaki Jana (5.5pts) from Egypt and WCM Bella Nashipae from Kenya.

The top five in the open category included FIDE Masters Ahmed Kandil and Eyad Elhusseiny from Egypt, with 6 and 5 points, respectively, while Uganda’s Shiloh Tandeka had 4.5 points.