Mitooma,Uganda – The Holistic Junior School, Uganda’s national chess champions, is delighted to announce its latest project, “From Pawns to Queens”, a chess-in-schools initiative in collaboration with Kashenshero Girls Secondary School. According to Mr. Turyatemba Siliano, Director of Holistic Junior School, this project aims to trial a large-scale beginner chess program to promote chess learning among the school’s S.5 and S.6 students, with the longer-term goal of making chess a regular feature in the school’s programs at all levels, and using chess learning to teach essential cognitive and life skills.
The idea behind the name “From Pawns to Queens” stems from the literal meaning of teaching young students how to move all the pieces. Beyond mastering the game, the mission is to inspire children to embrace the concepts of empowerment, growth, and development—both on and off the board. Just as pawns have the potential to become queens through strategic effort and perseverance, the school encourages students to realize their own potential, develop confidence, and grow into empowered individuals.
This initiative is not only for Kashenshero Girls but also for the entire Mitooma district, aiming to escalate chess in schools. Mr. Turyatemba urges the community to coordinate with him for assistance with chess in schools on a free basis.
The feedback from the school has been highly positive. Many students expressed joy at learning the game and wished to learn more after the training camp. Holistic Junior School hopes to continue its collaboration with Kashenshero Girls Secondary School in bringing more chess to its students.
The plastic chess sets were handed over by Director Holistic Junior School, Mr. Turyatemba, to the school administration at Kashenshero Girls. The students were very enthusiastic about the chess boards. This will further stimulate the school chess program and help them join the upcoming chess competition in May 2026.
Mr. Andrew Nkwasibwe Bakiza, President of the Uganda Chess Federation (UCF), in his maiden address after taking oath last year, said he plans to decentralize chess administration by strengthening regional associations in Western, Northern, Eastern, and Central Uganda. While these structures already exist, he says they have been largely ineffective. Bakiza is also raising expectations for players, pledging to increase international prize money fivefold and awarding a car annually to Uganda’s best-performing chess player.
Story and Photos By: Nkagashaka Aventino.
