Uganda makes strong start at Africa Youth Chess Championship

Uganda enjoyed an impressive opening at the 2025 Africa Youth Chess Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, registering 15 victories from 18 games on the first day of action over the weekend.

The standout moment came in the U14 category, where Africa Individual Schools champion Juliet Asaba stunned the home crowd by defeating Zimbabwe’s Huwa Romdizo in just five moves, the fastest finish of the day.

Asaba later fell to South Africa’s Ranjith Aishwaryan, ranked 13 places below her in the continental U14 standings.

A uganda player plotting his next move

In the same age group, Daniel Odokonyero opened with a win, while Omara Samora battled to a hard-earned draw.

Uganda’s only medalist from last year’s edition, Talia Atubet, launched her campaign in style, securing back-to-back victories against opponents from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The U18 category also delivered success, with Africa Junior silver medalist Sana Omprakash and Edwin Pido maintaining perfect starts after two wins each.

Uganda’s largest contingent, the U12 category, produced strong results as Ronald Wabwire, Apollo Ahumuza, Oyang Sankara, and Suhana Anil all won their opening two matches. Anabel Kirabo added to the tally with her first victory against Zimbabwe’s Talia Kamama.

Elsewhere, Dasha Zalwango won her opener but later fell to Carol Ndlovu, while Shoubith Omprakash extended her dominance in the U16 category with a second straight victory. Sean Mulema and Kirabo added first wins to Uganda’s tally, and Aaron Kagoda managed a draw in his second match.

In the U8 category, results were mixed. Psalm Nicole celebrated her second win, while Ernest Kiggundu was held by Zimbabwe’s Sumani Leeron.

Competition continues tomorrow with both morning and afternoon rounds as Team Uganda looks to build on its promising start.

Results U8 Category
Psalm Nicole (UG) 1-0 Jayne Awuor (KE)
Ernest Kiggundu (UG) 1-0 A. Varadharajan (SA)
Sean Mulema (UG) 0-1 Johan Binneman (NB)
Kagoda Aaron (UG) 0-1 Mdaha Vuyanathi (SA)

U10 Category
Talia Atubet (UG) 1-0 Janelle Mutale (ZAM)
Elvis Tumusiime (UG) 1-0 Eli Nyenjeri (KE)

U12 Category
Ronald Wabwire (UG) 1-0 Kanyera Munesha (ZIM)
Ahumuza Apollo (UG) 1-0 Liu Yize (KE)
Oyang Sankara (UG) 1-0 Maxwel Adego (KE)
Kirabo Anabel (UG) 0-1  Mugu Zawadi (KE)
Suhava Anil (UG) 1-0 Jain Avishi (ZIM)

U14 Category
Juliet Asaba (UG) 1-0 Huwa Romdizo (ZIM)
Daniel Odokonyero (UG) 1-0 C. Dominic (MW)
Omara Samora (UG) 1-0 Emanuel Masimba (ZIM)

U16
Dasha Zalwango (UG) 1-0 S. Ndovorwi (ZIM)
Shoubith Omprakash (UG) 1-0 D. Shipenzi (ZIM)

U18
Sana omprakash (UG) 1-0 Latoya Matereka (ZIM)
Pido Edwin (UG) 1-0 M. Tawananyasha (ZIM)