2025 Rwabushenyi Memorial – FM Harold Wanyama wins
Photo credits – Ivan Mukuye
The 2025 Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Tournament concluded yesterday after four challenging days of competition. FM Harold Wanyama emerged as the champion, scoring an impressive seven points out of eight rounds and earning UGX 1,000,000 (approximately USD 275).
Mark Nyola secured the runner-up position with 6.5 points, taking home UGX 700,000 (around USD 200).
In the Open Section, 60 participants competed for a total prize pool of UGX 3 million.
WCM Patricia Kawuma the defending champion claimed victory in the Ladies Section with 6.5 points from eight rounds, also winning UGX 700,000. Close behind her was WCM Shakira Ampaire, who finished in second place with six points.
The Ladies Section featured 24 participants.
Both the Open and Ladies sections were part of the Uganda Grand Prix Circuit, designed to select the team that will represent the country in the 2026 Olympiad.
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Event Details
Venue: SOM Arena, Makindye, Kampala.
Dates: 20th to 23rd November 2025.
Number of rounds: 8 rounds
Time control: 90 minutes plus 30 seconds.
Sponsors & Organisers
The Uganda Chess Federation is the organiser with sponsorship from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) of UGX 5 million (USD 1,500).
The tournament is held every year in honor of Cyril Rwabushenyi, a former director of the UCAA. He was also a founding member and former Chairman of the Uganda Chess Federation.
Past winners
Past winners of this prestigious and iconic event include the following;
2024 – IM Arthur Ssegwanyi & WCM Patricia Kawuma (Ladies Section)
2023 – Emmanuel Mwaka
2022 – FM Harold Wanyama
2021 – FM Haruna Nsubuga
2020 – Event not held due to Covid.
2019 – IM Arthur Ssegwanyi
2018 – FM Patrick Kawuma
2017 – FM Patrick Kawuma (Open section) & WFM Goretti Angolikin (Ladies section).
2016 – event was not held.
2015 – IM Arthur Ssegwanyi with 7.5 points. Event held on 5th/6th/12th & 13th December 2015.
2014 – FM Harold Wanyama with 7 points. Event held in early January 2015.
2011 – FM Harold Wanyama.
2010 – IM Elijah Emojong with 7 points & Phiona Mutesi winner of Ladies section.
2009 – FM Harold Wanyama.
2008 – FM Harold Wanyama.
Links
2025 Rwabushenyi Memorial Open Section on chess-results.com.
2025 Rwabushenyi Memorial Ladies Section on chess-results.com.
Live Games from the 2025 Rwabushenyi Memorial on lichess.org.
Live Games from the 2025 Rwabushenyi Memorial on www.livecloud.com.
IM Ssegwanyi & WCM Kawuma win 2024 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
2024 Rwabushenyi Memorial on chess-results.com.
Emmanuel Mwaka & WCM Joyce Nyaruai win 2023 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
2023 Rwabushenyi Memorial on chess-results.com.
FM Wanyama wins 2022 Rwabushenyi Open.
2022 Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship on chess-results.com.
PGNs from the 2022 Rwabusheyi Memorial 2022.
FM Nsubuga wins 2021 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
2021 Rwashbushenyi Memorial Chess Championship on chess-results.com.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi wins 2019 Rwabushenyi Open.
Standings & Results of 2019 Rwabushenyi Open.
FM Patrick Kawuma wins 2018 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
Patrick Kawuma wins 2017 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi wins 2015 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
FM Harold Wanyama wins 2015 Rwabushenyi Open – reporting by www.chessdrum.net
FM Harold Wanyama wins 2011 Rwabushenyi Open report by www.kawono.com.
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Article by Kenya Chess Masala.