Uganda awarded hosting rights for 17th African Youth Chess Championships
The announcement was made by ACC President Tshepiso Lopang of Botswana during the ACC Delegates’ Conference, held alongside the 16th AYCC in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Uganda receives the African Chess Confederation flag from Zimbabwe after being awarded the rights. Courtesy photo
The African Chess Confederation (ACC) has officially awarded Uganda the hosting rights for the 17th African Youth Chess Championships (AYCC), set to take place next year.
The announcement was made by ACC President Tshepiso Lopang of Botswana during the ACC Delegates’ Conference, held alongside the 16th AYCC in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The decision received unanimous endorsement from both the ACC Executive and the delegates present.
Lopang expressed confidence in Uganda’s ability to deliver a successful event, citing the country’s proven track record in hosting continental competitions.
“I am very excited for Uganda to host this event. They have successfully hosted competitions before, and I am familiar with their team and capabilities. I am looking forward to a great championship,” she said.
She, however, urged the host nation to begin preparations early and to incorporate lessons from the Harare reviews. “We expect Uganda to handle registrations and regulations in good time to allow participants adequate preparation,” she added.
Uganda was represented at the conference by Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) President Emmanuel Mwaka and General Secretary Patrick Ojok, who also led the Ugandan delegation at the Zimbabwe championships.
Mwaka hailed the hosting rights as a landmark achievement for Ugandan chess. “This will be our first time hosting the African Youth Chess Championships, and we are committed to making it the best AYCC Africa has ever seen,” he said.
Ojok echoed the excitement, emphasizing the broader impact of the tournament.
“Bringing the championship to Uganda will provide more opportunities for our girls and women to compete at the continental level as we continue to transform lives through chess. Chess in Uganda is no longer just a game; it has become a tool for life transformation,” he noted.
With hundreds of promising young players across the country, the championship will provide a platform to showcase local talent on home soil. Uganda’s strong showing at the 16th AYCC in Zimbabwe, finishing third overall despite fielding only 18 players—has raised optimism for an even more impressive performance when the nation hosts the 2026 edition.