Phiona Mutesi takes chess to western Uganda

In a bid to reach out to the vulnerable children in the western Uganda,chess prodigy and the Queen of Katwe star Phiona Mutesi will be visiting the Kagadi girls of Bunyoro to equip them with chess skills, a sport she believes gave her purpose in life.

In the company of her coach Robert Katende and members of the SOM chess Academy, Mutesi will visit the Kagadi based African Rural University (ARU) and Uganda Rural Development and Training (URDT) Girl's school Friday to launch a chess training program.

Mutesi, who was born and raised in the slums of Katwe, told New Vision that she felt the need to help other vulnerable children through the game of chess.

"My life changed and became more meaningful when I was introduced to the game of chess.  I believe if other children were exposed to the same opportunity I was years back, their lives could make a lot more sense and more hopeful," said Mutesi.

Speaking ahead of the visit, URDT and ARU founder Mwalimu Musheshe said, "We are delighted to be hosting Mutesi and Katende. Both of them demonstrate that being born in poverty is a social economic condition that is not permanent. One's fortunes can change and transform for the better when and if touched by people of goodwill."

"At the African Rural University and URDT Girl's school, we train young women to create the future they want," Musheshe added.

"Girls can reach greater heights by holding clear visions, commitment and taking intelligent actions and the game of chess can help them achieve this," he added.