In the heart of Kampala’s Katwe slum, the transformative power of chess continues to create a path for youth to escape poverty and build futures beyond the challenges of their environment. For over two decades, Robert Katende has been at the helm of this change, inspiring hundreds of children to see chess not only as a game, but as a tool for personal growth and success.
Katende’s chess academy gained international recognition after the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe depicted the rise of Phiona Mutesi, a chess prodigy from Katwe. In the film, Katende, portrayed by actor David Oyelowo, guides Mutesi from humble beginnings to becoming a national chess champion. This movie, based on the real-life story of Mutesi, brought international attention to Katende’s efforts. Despite the challenges that continue to plague his academy, Katende remains steadfast in his mission.
“We use chess as a teaching tool. To identify the potential of the learners and guide them to their destiny,” Katende shared in an interview with the BBC.
Katende’s journey began in 2004 after he transitioned from being a volunteer football coach to a chess mentor, using a single chessboard to introduce the game to the children of Katwe. Within a year, Phiona Mutesi, who had dropped out of school, joined his program. Mutesi’s resilience led her to national and international acclaim, earning her the title of Woman Candidate Master from the World Chess Federation by the age of 16.
Mutesi’s success story became an inspiration for many of Katende’s other students, including 18-year-old Patricia Kawuma, a two-time national junior chess champion. “Apart from winning school scholarships, this game has taught me how to strategise and plan ahead, and it instils discipline and patience,” Kawuma explained. She has represented Uganda in international tournaments and funded her own education through chess winnings.
Katende’s initiatives have expanded significantly over the years, with more than 4,000 children passing through his programs. His work extends beyond Uganda’s borders, reaching slums in Kenya, Rwanda, and several other African countries, including Angola and Botswana. His success was further boosted in 2012 when Tim Crothers’ book about Mutesi’s life caught the attention of Disney, which later adapted the story into a movie. The film granted Katende a $50,000 (approximately £36,000) donation, enabling him to expand his academy and open new training centres.
However, despite the global recognition and initial financial support, Katende’s work faces ongoing challenges. The revenue from the Queen of Katwe movie, which was expected to support the academy, never materialised as planned. Disney, after investing $15 million into the film, reported a loss, which has had serious financial repercussions for Katende’s programs. “The loss put me in a bad spot because people think that I have hidden some money,” he explained. He was also promised a significant share of the movie’s profits but has not seen any returns.
While the film provided much-needed publicity for the academy, it also left Katende struggling to maintain operations. Since the pandemic, many of Katende’s partners have pulled out, and the financial support has dwindled. “We had to scale down operations and close down some training centres. Before Covid, I had 26 staff, but now we have eight,” he said. Many of the children in the program have had to make do with a limited number of chessboards, and the academy’s ability to send talented players like the current junior national champion, Jovan Kasozi, to international tournaments has been constrained by financial limitations.
Kasozi, who has excelled in chess and received support for his education through the academy, missed an international competition last year due to the inability to raise funds for his airfare. “But I’m not giving up on chess, the game stimulates my mind, and it has made me very good at mathematics. It makes me think like a computer,” said Kasozi.
Despite the hurdles, Katende remains hopeful. “Chess is a metaphor for life. There are challenges and surprises everywhere, but if you look closely, you can find opportunities,” he said. While the financial difficulties may make the future uncertain, the impact of his work on the youth of Uganda and beyond is undeniable.
The journey of Katende and his students is a testament to the power of education, resilience, and the enduring spirit of individuals determined to change their lives, even when the odds are stacked against them.
