Muhirwa sets sights on Grand Master title after earning Fide Master status

Alvin Muhirwa’s gold medal at the 17th Africa Youth Chess Championship in Entebbe last month earned him the Real Stars Monthly Award for May.

Competing in the U-16 Open category, which featured 102 players, 15-year-old Muhirwa of Kamwokya Teens Chess Club and Academy secured 7.5 points to win gold. His victory placed Libyan Tawfik Ezzeddin Kweiri and Egyptian Arena International Master Ahmed Gamal El Deen Yaseen in second and third place, each with 7 points.

The feat earned Muhirwa the title of Fide Master. Organisers of the Fortebet Real Stars Award took note and handed him an award on Tuesday at Nanjing Restaurant in Kololo, ahead of Jacinta Mbabazi and Ronald Wabwire, who also took gold in their respective categories from the same championship.

Real Awards winner Alvin Muhirwa (2nd right) poses with a delegation from the UCF led by president Andrew Bakiza (2nd left), coach Patrick Mukasa (3rd right) and Fortebet's Resty Mbatidde (right) at Nanjing Restaurant, June 2, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga.

“First of all, I want to thank my coach, my parents, and the Uganda Chess Federation for supporting me. I want to tell everyone who is there to learn to get something. Because God gave all of us talents, everyone has a talent,” Muhirwa said.

“I will continue to ensure that Uganda remains on top of this sport. Getting the FM title wasn't easy, but I’m going to work hard to earn the Grand Master title. I know it is not going to be easy, but I will work towards it.” Sr. Duggan Primary School’s Muhirwa, who was accompanied by UCF president Andrew Bakiza and his coach Patrick Mukasa, said.

Peruth Chemutai for winning her second Diamond League title in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the Xiamen Wanda Diamond League meeting in China, Prisons Netball Club’s Christine Namulumba, for guiding her side to the East Africa Clubs Netball Championship; and Allan Okello for his outstanding display for his new side. Young Africans SC of Tanzania were also awarded for their performance in the month. “Thank you so much for always recognising our efforts and motivating us.  I want to thank the commissioner general of prisons for facilitating us, for giving us the morale that made us champions,” Namulumba said.

“Not forgetting my manager and the coaches. They are the reason why I'm here today.

I want to thank them for believing in me. I also thank my friend Dennis Mayiga. Every time I'm down, he lifts me up. Every time I say that I can't make it, he always boosts me.

Okello’s award was picked by Next Pro Sports Management Agency’s Sultan Atuko, who carried a message from him. Okello said he was very grateful to his teammates, the technical team, and the whole organisation. He was also very grateful to the fans and the journalists who had been by his side in thick and thin.

The monthly awards are sponsored by Fortebet and Jude Colour Solutions, represented by Resty Mbatidde and Aaron Nandawula, who pledged their companies’ continued support for the event, which recognises outstanding sportsmen across different sports on a monthly basis.

Real Awards CEO Isac Mukasa said these awards will continue inspiring many athletes to perform at their best not only because of the cash award that comes along but also because it is such awards that will inspire the future stars from the respective families of the awardees.

“This accolade means a lot because it acts as a legacy for the winners who can keep them for future generations,” Mukasa stated.