The name Arthur Ssegwanyi will ring a bell among many ear drums of most keen sports following enthusiasts in Uganda.
The International Chess Master (IM) was on Thursday awarded with a rotary vocational title by the Rotary Club of Seeta for 2014/15.
Rotarian Peter Anthony Kiberu, IPP of the Rotary Club of Seeta noted of Ssegwanyi;
Having completed a rigorous search for a deserving individual whose vocation has made a tremendous contribution to the Country at large, the Board found Arthur (Ssegwanyi) befitting of the award.
The reigning Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) male Chess Player of the Year received his award at Ridar
He conveyed a motivational speech on how he balanced education with Chess glory; It takes character and one’s good will to play sports and also concentrate in class. I am happy for everyone that has been there for me in every thick and thin. In 2015, Ssegwanyi won the Zone 4.2 Africa Chess Championship held in Kampala (in April 2015). For the achievement, he was granted an International Master title and the right to represent Africa at the World Cup. The playing field in the zonal included a Dutch born Grandmaster (GM) in the first round. Appearing in his inaugural tourney at the Chess World Cup, Ssegwanyi played for a draw with the world’s fourth highest ranked player. He also won the Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Tournament held at Hotel Africana in Kampala on top of winning the national chess league with D’Mark Chess Club. He now becomes the first Ugandan chess player to be decorated with Rotary’s Vocational Award for his exploits on the Board.
