2026 Eastern Uganda Region Chess Championship — IM Elijah Emojong Crowned Winner

The 2026 Eastern Uganda Region Chess Championship concluded on a high note in Jinja, with International Master Elijah Emojong emerging victorious after scoring an impressive 5.5 points out of six rounds. Emojong outperformed a formidable field of over 70 titled and aspiring contenders to take home the championship trophy and the winner's cash prize of UGX 2.5 million.

Jordan Joshua Mulondo, Norman Magino, Alvin Muhrwa, and Jok Kachuol all tied for joint second place with 5.0 points each, splitting UGX 2.3 million equally among themselves in what proved to be one of the most fiercely contested zonal GP events of the season.

In the Ladies Section, Woman Candidate Master Juliet Asaba claimed victory with an outstanding 5 points out of six rounds, outperforming a field of 22 participants. Olivia Asiimwe and WCM Shakira Ampaire shared joint second place, each scoring 4.5 points.

This six-round tournament, serving as the first Ugandan Grand Prix event for 2026, featured a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. Boasting a generous prize fund of UGX 12 million, the championship took place at the prestigious Source of the Nile Hotel with direct FIDE rating accreditation.

In the Junior Section, Joshua Waiswa of Kiira College won the section with 5.5 points to take home a glittering trophy, gold medal, and a bicycle. Joshua Swilikey Kiprop finished as runner-up with 5.5 points as well, separated only by tie-break criteria across a total of 67 junior players.