The quiet halls of Ntare School were transformed into a battlefield of strategic brilliance this past week as it hosted the 2026 Father Grimes National Schools Chess Championship.
Marking a historic milestone, the tournament was held outside of Kampala for the first time, attracting over 2,000 students from across Uganda.
The week-long event saw schools from the Central Region asserting their dominance across primary and secondary categories.
In the Primary Boys (Open) category, Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School successfully defended their national title.
Guided by coach Patrick Mukasa, the team finished with a flawless 27 points from nine rounds, remaining unbeaten throughout the contest.
The primary division saw a competitive field where Holistic Junior School Mitooma and Peak Junior School also put up spirited performances, with Sr. Miriam Duggan ultimately proving too superior to be dethroned.
The school further cemented its legacy by winning the Primary Girls category in their debut appearance with Holistic Junior School Mitooma, Peak Junior School as top contenders.
The Secondary Girls category provided the biggest upset of the tournament. Wampeewo Ntakke Secondary School clinched their first-ever national title, finishing with 25 points dethroning the three-time consecutive champions, St. Andrew Kaggwa Gombe High School, who settled for second place.
Mustard Seed SS Lukaya Kalungu and Maryhill High School (MHS) also featured prominently in the final standings, showcasing the growing depth of talent in girls’ chess.
The Secondary Boys (Open) category was a masterclass in endurance. St. Henry’s College Kitovu (SHACK) successfully defended their title for the third year in a row, finishing the nine-round Swiss-system contest unbeaten.
The rivalry between the “Saints” was on full display as St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) pushed SHACK to the limit. Despite a valiant effort from SMACK’s Team N, which finished second, SHACK’s depth allowed their multiple teams to dominate the top of the table.
The event attracted 213 teams from 105 schools.
