Wampeewo Ntakke SS come of age in Fr. Grimes Chess Championship

Wampeewo Ntakke Secondary School finally came of age, winning the secondary schools' girls’ category during the 36th edition of the Father Grimes National Schools Team Chess Championships hosted by Ntare School from May 5-7.

Wampeewo Ntakke collected 25 points to finish as champions ahead of St. Andrew Kaggwa Gombe High School and Mustard Seed SS Lukaya Kalungu, who finished second and third with 21 and 19 points, respectively.

Patience Angel Atella and Ryann Kyla Nakijjoba lead the champions with 8 points without losing and losing only one game, respectively, as Juliet Arinaitwe picked 7 wins with one loss, while Talent Nuwareeba and Reigner added 5.5 and one point, respectively, to ensure their maiden victory.

The top three secondary school girls' teams Mustard Seed SS (left) Wampeewo Ntakke-A (center) and St. Andrew Kaggwa Gombe pose with their trophies after the Fr. Grimes Chess Championship at Ntare School, May 7, 2026. Courtesy photo

According to Calvin Ntumwa, the school's chess coach, who has been with the side for the past five years, the girls have finished second since 2023, before this year’s overall victory.

He said they had scouted three players to beef up their team, but they were snatched by rival schools, leaving them with only Juliet Arinaitwe, who played a vital role in their victory.

“Mary-Kevin Ndagire ended up at Seroma High School, and Hannah Mariam Ayikoru was snatched by Gombe, but we remained with Juliet Arinaitwe, who we signed from Duggan SS in Kamwokya and who was one of the standouts with us,” Ntumwa said.

“We told our students to have self-belief, work hard, keep their discipline, and take the coaches’ advice, and I think it is what helped us win this year.

“We worked hard, we were persistent, and we took our chances. These are the three things we have depended on, in addition to ensuring that God was on our side. Before the championship, we were looked at as one of the underdogs, and instead, teams like St. Andrew Kaggwa Gombe High School, who we beat to the championship, were highly rated, but we exhibited great teamwork and worked hard and exhibited confidence to ensure the victory,” Ntumwa stated.

Final Ranking: Secondary School girls

Wampeewo Ntakke—A 25 pts

St. Andrew Kaggwa Gombe 21

Mustard Seed SS 19

Mary Hill Team-A, 18

Springfield HS Matugga 18

Wanyange Girls SS Team-B 18

Caltec Academy Makerere 17

Uganda Martyrs SS Ngg 17

Mengo Senior School 17

Iganga SS Team-A 16