Medal hunt on as the Africa Youth Chess Championship climaxes in Entebbe

Several Ugandan players are assured of walking away with medals, as qualification is based on their rankings in the various categories of the Africa Youth Chess Championship, currently underway at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe.

In addition to medals, gold medalists in the under-12, under-14, and open categories will receive the FIDE Master or Woman FIDE Master titles.

Silver- and bronze-medalists in these categories will earn the Candidate Master or Woman Candidate Master titles. Gold medalists in the under-8, under-10, and under-12 categories will also qualify for the 2027 FIDE World Cup.

Uganda's Apollo Ahumuza in action in the boys' U-14 category during the Africa Youth Chess Championship at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, May 20, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

After eight rounds in the U-8 category, Jacinta Mbabazi was poised for a medal, having earned maximum points by defeating Aretha Karabo Kembabazi (Uganda), three Kenyans (Zoey Njeri Ngugi, Luana Kalya Kanda, Aaliyah Jasmine McKenzie), South Africans Coetzee Niki, Gabriels Amrienta, Mlaba Khethelo, and Egyptian Kamel Romaisaa.

Medal prospects in the open category for this age group were limited, though Matayo Barigye and Samuel Kaweesi, both with six points, still had a chance to compete for bronze. Egyptian Mahmoud Sameir Zeineldin led with 7.5 points, followed by Namibian Adam Wahengo with 7.

In the U-10 category, Katrina Katushabe, with 6.5 points, remained in contention for gold or silver, trailing leader Fatma Said Tawfeik (Egypt) by half a point. Melisa Edinansi had 6 points. In the open category, Elvis Tumusiime was also a strong contender for gold, trailing Hamza Ahmed Ezaat (Egypt, 8 points) by one point and tying with Kenyan Jeremy Aden Duke.

A cross section of participants across different categories during the Africa Youth Chess Championship in Entebbe, May 20, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Talia Atubet remained well-positioned, sharing the U-12 girls' category lead with Kenyan Winnie Kaburo at 7 points each. Chanelle Manuela Okurut Icuret and Solange Anaia Baliddawa followed with 6 points. In the open category, Ugandan Ronald Wabwire was in a close contest for gold with Kenyans Nathanie Manyeki, Muli Faraja Mumo, and Namibian Arena Candidate Master James Dien, all tied at 7 points after eight rounds.

In the U-14, WCM Juliet Asaba, on 6.5 points, was also a half a point behind the joint leaders WFM Ahmed Mohamed Zakaa from Egypt, WCM Tsinjoviniavo Mahasambatra (Madagascar) and the South African Sophia Gina Hagen, all on 7 points. In the open category, Apollo Ahumuza, Daniel Odokonyero, George Ssempijja and Nolan Alex Nio, all on six points, were in must-win situations in the last round to stand any chance of winning medals. Egyptian Ahmed Mustafa Faris, Puran Madhav (SA), and Namibian Wela Nsimba jointly led this category with 7 points each.

In the U-16 category, Olivia Asiimwe (6 points) was well positioned for a medal if she won her final game against South African Naidoo Dhiya. Egyptian Alaa Eldin Raghad and Kenyan WFM Elizabeth Cassidy Maina led with 6.5 points each. In the U-16 open category, Alvin Muhirwa (6.5 points) and Innocent Baguma (6 points) also needed wins against Ugandan AFM Shoubhith Omprakash Kayyar and Kenyan Kyle Kuka to remain in medal contention. Five other players also had 6 points, so any loss could leave them overtaken. FIDE Master Farid Tamer Waguih (Egypt) led this category with 7 points.

In the U-18 girls’ category, defending champion Woman International Master Sana Omprakash Kayyar (6.5 points) needed to win her ninth-round match against Sherry Ariella Agaba to defend her title or secure silver, as she trailed Egyptian Mohamed Zaki Jana (7 points) by half a point. WCM Bella Nashipae (Kenya) was also on 7 points. In the open category, FIDE Masters Ahmed Kandil and Eyad Elhusseiny had 8 and 7 points, respectively, while Candidate Master Shane Kennedy (Zambia) had 6 points.