DAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS: A NATION GATHERS TO HONOR A LEGACY — FATHER GRIMES NATIONAL SCHOOL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 BEGINS:
Today marked a powerful and emotional beginning to the Father Grimes National School Chess Championship, the very first edition held in memory of Rev. Father Damien Grimes (1931–2024) — the man whose vision and relentless passion gave birth to a nationwide chess culture in Uganda.
More than 200 schools from across Uganda both primary and secondary — spanning the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Western regions — converged at Our Lady of Africa Namilyango in a colorful opening day, setting the stage for a historic tournament celebrating a legacy that has transformed lives.
As buses and school vans rolled through the gates of Our Lady of Africa Namilyango, there was a tangible sense of pride, unity. Schools such as Busoga College Mwiri, St. Mary’s College Kisubi, Gayaza High, Kings College Buddo, Seeta High, Jinja College, Ntare School, Caltec Academy, Bweranyangi Girls, Kitgum Comprehensive, and dozens more arrived throughout the day — each team bearing not just chess boards, but memories of how Father Grimes’ legacy has inspired generations of students and athletes alike.
The opening ceremony welcomed players, coaches, and dignitaries with tributes to Father Grimes’ lasting impact on education and youth development. A banner proudly declared: “Celebrating the Life of a Visionary Leader: Father Damien Grimes, MBE.”
Father Grimes, the former headmaster of Namasagali College, revolutionized school sports by using chess as a tool to nurture critical thinking, discipline, and leadership. His work from the 1980s through the early 2000s planted seeds that continue to blossom, with Uganda today recognized as a continental chess powerhouse.
This tournament, now officially renamed in his honor by the Uganda Chess Federation, has become not just a competition, but a living tribute. Players from across the country are walking in the footsteps of a man whose vision extended far beyond the 64 squares — into the future of Uganda’s children.
Our hosts, Our Lady of Africa Namilyango, have maintained excellence in both academics and co-curricular achievements. Known for their adherence to the UNEB curriculum under NCDC guidance, the school proudly upholds its motto, “Ever Forward”, providing the perfect backdrop for this monumental event.
As the tournament officially kicks off tomorrow, excitement continues to build. The opening rounds promise intense matchups and displays of strategic brilliance. But today’s story was about arrival, remembrance, and recognition.
Uganda’s chess community has gathered not only to compete, but to honor a giant — one whose memory continues to shape the lives of thousands.
Day One is done — and Father Grimes’ spirit lives on.
Credit: (Uganda Chess Federation)
Samuel Were
