Calls to formalise esports in Uganda have gained momentum after leaders used the 2026 Swahili Esports Champions Tournament that Uganda hosted between March 7 and 8, to rally support for the sport’s recognition as a national federation.
Incoming Kampala City Lord Mayor Eng. Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo urged administrators and gamers to speed up efforts toward registration, arguing that official recognition would open wider social and economic opportunities for players across the country.
Speaking during the event at MoTIV in Bugolobi, Balimwezo said esports has already attracted a growing youth community and now requires structured governance to unlock its full potential.
“I am very impressed with what I’ve seen with esports today. My advice is for the leaders to register esports as a federation because this will unlock opportunities for young people,” Balimwezo said.
He also called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to embrace emerging innovations such as esports and expand support systems that increase participation, especially among women.
The two day festival blended competition with dialogue about the industry’s future. Day one featured panel discussions on esports for social and educational development, women’s participation in gaming, and regional cooperation in Eastern Africa among other topics.
Players also competed in an FC 26 and Formula 1 tournament before attention shifted fully to the headline women’s championship the following day.
In the women-only Tekken 8 competition that featured eight players from eight Eastern Africa nations, Madagascar’s Nioh produced a dominant run, defeating Kenya’s Bambina in the final to lift the 2026 Swahili Esports Champions title.
The victory earned her USD 1000 in prize money, while the second, third and fourth placed players also received between USD 200 and 500 in cash rewards.
Nioh’s triumph continued Madagascar’s impressive record in the championship, as the inaugural 2023 edition was won by Tsiaro Mampiarina Manuela, another Malagasy player.
Beyond the competition, organisers highlighted the championship’s broader goal of promoting women in esports while creating a platform where female gamers across East Africa and the continent can compete at a high level.
Bonny Omara, General Secretary of the aspiring Uganda Esports and Gaming Federation, said that as administrators, their focus is on meeting the requirements set by the National Council of Sports under the National Sports Act 2023, so that the sport gains formal recognition.
“We are organising our structures and documentation to meet the standards required for registration,” Omara said.
International partners, such as SAGES Africa and the French Embassy, also echoed the call for wider recognition of esports across the continent.
Désiré Koussawo, the founder and leader of SAGES Africa said that that’s the company’s major aim, while, during the awards ceremony, Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, said conversations with African governments continue as stakeholders work toward formalising esports structures on the continent.
“Esports deserves recognition not only in Uganda but across Africa,” Leroy said. “Efforts with governments are ongoing to ensure the sector receives the policy support needed for players and organisers to grow.”
