The inaugural SOM Chess Easter Championship concluded at the Sports Outreach Ministry (SOM) Academy in Katwe, Uganda, attracting over 70 chess enthusiasts from four federations.
Patricia Kawuma (SOM Chess Club) and Emmanuel Egesa (Kireka Chess Club) emerged victorious in the ladies’ and open sections, respectively.
Dominant Performances Secure Victories
Patricia Kawuma (SOM Chess Academy, FIDE Master 2203) dominated the women’s category, scoring 7 points and taking home the champion’s title.
Her reward included a 1 million Ugandan shilling cash prize, a silver medal, and two trophies. Kawuma’s experience in various events like the TECH for the World Chess Championships and the SOM inter-project Chess Championship proved valuable in this tournament.
“I have been taking part in different chess events like the super 14 and these have helped me to apply the same skill in this championship,” Kawuma revealed.
In the open section, Emmanuel Egesa (Kireka Chess Club, Candidate Master 1990) mirrored Kawuma’s success with 7 points.
He secured the championship title alongside a 1 million Ugandan shilling cash prize, a gold medal, and two trophies.
Egesa sees this win as a motivator for future tournaments, including the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary (September 10-23), where he’ll represent Uganda’s national team. “This championship helped me to rate myself,” Egesa added.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Blitz Chess Event
Robert Katende, CEO of SOM Chess Academy, expressed his satisfaction with the first edition’s turnout and confirmed the event’s annual continuation.
He also announced a follow-up Blitz chess (speed chess) tournament, a one-day event scheduled for April 5th at the SOM Chess Academy in Katwe.
Full List of Winners
- Open Section
- Champion: Emmanuel Egesa (7 points) – 1 Million UGX, Gold Medal, 2 Trophies
- Runner-Up: Patrick Kawuma (7 points) – 750,000 UGX, Silver Medal
- 3rd Place: Haruna Nsubuga (6.5 points) – 500,000 UGX, Bronze Medal
- 4th Place: Sharif Ssenabulya (6 points) – 250,000 UGX
- 5th Place: Bob Bibasa (6 points) – 125,000 UGX
- Other Category Winners
- Junior U1900: Muhebwa Shafik (4.5 points) – 100,000 UGX
- Differently Abled: Mbaziira Wasswa Sharif (3.5 points) – 100,000 UGX, Gold Medal
- Best 50+ Years: Joseph Kaamu (5.5 points) – 100,000 UGX, Gold Medal
- Best U1600: Innocent Baguma (5 points) – 100,000 UGX, Gold Medal
- Best U1900: Emmanuel Mukose (5.5 points) – 100,000 UGX, Gold Medal
Scholarship Opportunity
The championship also saw Enock Sseguya, a P5 dropout, win a life-changing opportunity.
Through Robert Katende’s initiative foundation for scholarships and with the support of madam Kavyshree Mallanna, founder of the celestial minds Chess organization from Boston, USA, Sseguya received a 2,500 USD scholarship to pursue a graphic design course, keeping his dreams alive.
Photo Credit: Gonzaga Kakeeto
