Leaders, Arthur Ssegwanyi and Haruna Nsubuga both won their eigth round games played in the afternoon at Hotel Africana on Sunday 13th November 2011 to maintain a joint lead at 7 points each after 8 games.
Ssegwanyi beat FIDE Master Elijah Emojong in the eigth round while Nsubuga beat Farouk Fauza to get to 7 points. The two are unbeaten in the event after winning six games each and drawing two.
More upsets were experienced as defending champion Harold Wanyama crushed again at the hands of fellow Olympian Bob Bibasa while another pre-tourney favourite Simon Gonza was beaten by upcoming Mathias Ssonko.
In joint third position are youngsters Ssonko at 6 points, David Muwanguzi who beat Amos Emojong also at 6 points and Micheal Mawanda who beat Rajab Kamoga.
Another former Olympian Isaac Munanira also lost to Mike Akabu.
The event’s winner will other than being crowned National Chess Champion also automatically qualify to be part of Uganda’s team at the next Olympiad in Turkey next year.
Two more rounds will be played on Sunday 20th November 2011 at Hotel Africana.