Uganda's Chess Cranes, She Cranes off to Uzbekistan for 46th Olympiad
The team, comprising five players in each category, was flagged off on Monday at the National Council of Sports and will travel aboard Fly Dubai via Tashkent to arrive at the venue on Tuesday.
Chess players (men and women) travelling for the 46th 2026 Olympiad after being flagged off at the NCS head office in Lugogo on September 14, 2026. On the right is the President of Chess Uganda, Andrew Bakiza. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka
Uganda's Chess Cranes (the men) and the Chess She Cranes are set to represent the country at the 46th Olympiad scheduled for Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 16 to 27.
The team, comprising five players in each category, was flagged off on Monday at the National Council of Sports and will travel aboard Fly Dubai via Tashkent to arrive at the venue on Tuesday.
In chess, the Olympiad is equivalent to the Olympic Games for the sport.
Uganda's elite chess players start action on Wednesday.
This time, Uganda has fielded full teams, the Chess Cranes in the open category and the Chess She Cranes in the women's section at the 46th Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The event rolls off this morning (Wednesday), with Uganda hoping to break into the top 100, especially after sending full-strength teams to the championship.
Chess Uganda president Andrew Bakiza, who led the team, is optimistic that having a full squad of experienced and upcoming players will give Uganda an advantage.
"We are expecting better results this time because we have experienced players with a wealth of experience and strength. We have both new and old players for the event," said Bakiza.
Team captain and board player Allan Ssonko also expressed confidence in the squad, saying the players are capable of delivering better results.
"We have young players in the women's team who are new to the team. All the players are focused on winning," said Ssonko.
Women's assistant captain Shakira Ampaire said she was proud that Uganda is fielding a full women's team this time.
"This is my fourth Olympiad, and I am happy that this time we have a full women's team," said Ampaire.
The men's team comprises national champion Wasswa Nyola of Kampala University, FM Harold Wanyama, FM Patrick Kawuma, CM Emmanuel Egesa, and CM Bob Bibasa.
The women's team, captained by Sheba Naisanga, also includes WIM Sana Omprakash, WCM Patricia Kawuma, WCM Juliet Asaba, and Olivia Asiimwe.
Kampala University professor Prof. Badru Kateregga also flagged off Wasswa Nyola, the national individual champion for 2025, for the Olympiad.
"On behalf of the University, I have the pleasure of having contributed a strong player to the national team, and we hope he will do well," noted Kateregga.
Nyola, on the other hand, is expecting to put in a good performance and come back with a chess title from the Uzbekistan Olympiad.