Omprakash and Wasswa Nyola crowned 2026 National Chess Champions

Woman International Master (WIM) Sana Kayyar Omprakash added another milestone to her growing résumé after lifting the 2026 National Chess Championship title on Sunday, securing her second major triumph in just a month.

The reigning African Youth champion reclaimed the national crown by defeating defending champion Ampaire Shakira in a decisive eighth-round encounter.

The victory avenged her narrow loss in the 2024 edition, where she finished level on 10.5 points but lost the title to Shakira on tie-break.

Sana began the tournament strongly, collecting four points from her opening five matches. A surprise sixth-round defeat to lower-rated Zuri Tatiina (1780) briefly slowed her momentum, but she responded emphatically, stringing together five straight wins to finish top with nine points and secure the championship.

In the Open category, Wasswa Nyola, an Information Technology student at Kampala University, emerged as the new national champion after an impressive campaign in the 11-round round-robin contest. Nyola registered crucial victories over formidable opponents including FIDE Masters Harold Wanyama and Bob Bibasa, while holding Patrick Kawuma, Egesa Emanuel, and national coach Mathias Ssonko to draws on his way to capturing his maiden national title.

The top five finishers in both categories earned the right to represent Uganda at the 46th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September in Uzbekistan.

Nyola will be joined on the men’s team by runner-up Patrick Kawuma (7.5 points), third-placed Bob Bibasa (7 points), as well as Egesa Emanuel and Haruna Nsubuga, who tied on 6.5 points.

On the women’s side, Sana will lead a squad that includes Asiimwe Olivia (second with eight points), Asaba Juliet, Ampaire Shakira, and Kawuma Patricia, who completed the top five positions.

Uganda Chess Federation President Andrew Bakiza expressed confidence in the selected team, describing it as youthful, dynamic, and capable of making a strong impact on the global stage.

“We believe this is a team that can compete strongly and represent the country with pride. They are young, ambitious, and highly competitive,” Bakiza noted.

2026 Uganda National Chess Championships

Final Ranking Men

1.       Wasswa Nyola Mark     8.5 points

2.       FM Kawuma Patrick      7.5

3.       FM Bob Bibasa               7

4.       CM Egesa Emanuel       6.5

5.       FM Haruna Nsubuga     6.5

Final Ranking Women

1.       WIM Sana Omprakash   9 points

2.       Asiimwe Olivia                 8

3.       WCM Asaba Juliet           7.5

4.       WCM Ampaire Shakira   7.5

5.       WCM Kawuma Patricia   7.5