In the heart of Katwe, a slum in Uganda's capital, the SomChess Academy, renowned for its role in the Disney film *Queen of Katwe*, continues to foster young chess talent amidst ongoing financial hurdles. Directed by Mira Nair and released in 2016, the film depicted Robert Katende's journey as he transformed the lives of children through chess.
For over 20 years, Katende has dedicated his life to promoting chess among the youth in the community. With just a single chessboard when he began in 2004, Katende ardently believes in using the game as a developmental tool to unlock potential, aiming to guide children toward promising futures. “We use chess as a teaching tool to help identify the potential of the learners,” he explained during a recent visit.
The story of Phiona Mutesi, who joined the academy at age nine, serves as a cornerstone of Katende’s narrative. A former dropout, she rose to national prominence, ultimately grabbing three titles as the national women's junior champion and earning international recognition. Her journey exemplified the transformative influence of chess and became a beacon of hope for many young players, including 18-year-old Patricia Kawuma. With her achievements, Kawuma has gained scholarships and learned vital life skills through chess, allowing her to support her family’s education.
While Katende's programs have benefited over 4,000 children and extended to prisons and other disadvantaged areas in East Africa, financial challenges loom large, particularly after the pandemic. The film's poor financial performance meant that promised profit-sharing never materialized, leaving the academy short on resources. Despite receiving a one-time grant from Disney, the financial strain has forced Katende to cut back operations, reducing his staff and harming his outreach capabilities.
“For the past two years, I've had to scale down,” he lamented, noting he had to let go of multiple staff members due to budget constraints. This reduction in workforce reflects the significant impact that diminished funding has had on their ability to host chess clubs.
Currently, over 2,500 children and roughly 800 inmates participate in Katende's programs. Many aspiring players struggle with the lack of resources, scrambling for just 120 chess boards available. Compounding these struggles, Uganda’s current junior chess champion, 19-year-old Jovan Kasozi, missed out on critical international tournaments due to inadequate funds.
Despite the challenges, Katende holds onto hope, believing that the notoriety from the film helped to place their academy on a larger stage. Though they face significant financial and operational obstacles, Katende remains steadfast in his mission to instill life lessons through chess. “A bad move in chess means you will lose, just the same with life,” he shared, demonstrating his determination to mold the future of his students despite all odds.
