Raise Chess Academy

We use chess and soccer as a tool to combat psychological trauma in refugee children/youth.
We are Based in Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

It is OFFICIAL: Students are the Winners for the 2026 Season 1 of the MASTERS & STUDENTS GAMES.

Students beat their Coaches

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

We are super excited for this initiative.

[The Gift of Chess @thegiftofchess]

Breaking News. The Gift of Chess has initiated plans to launch our 3rd waste plastic chess set factory which will be located in Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Nakivale is one of the oldest & largest refugee camps in the world. The factory will be led by @RCAuganda.

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

We are proud to be beneficiaries of the mission

[The Gift of Chess @thegiftofchess]

Effective immediately, @thegiftofchess will begin mobilized 1,000 chess sets to each of the following countries (target of one country per month). This is part of our greater effort to distribute 1 million chess sets globally by 2030 reaching every country in the world. To date we have donated nearly 200,000 chess sets reaching 70 countries. If you are interested in getting involved contact [email protected]

🇩🇿 Algeria
🇦🇴 Angola
🇨🇲 Cameroon
🇨🇫 Central African Republic
🇹🇩 Chad
🇰🇲 Comoros
🇩🇯 Djibouti
🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea
🇪🇷 Eritrea
🇬🇳 Guinea
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
🇱🇾 Libya
🇲🇷 Mauritania
🇲🇺 Mauritius
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe
🇹🇳 Tunisia
🇨🇫 Central African Republic
🇩🇿 Algeria

[Julien Kanyonga @julienkanyonga]

Spaces that matters. We create spaces that knows no boundaries together with our @thegiftchess @RCAuganda

[Julien Kanyonga @julienkanyonga]

In Nakivale Refugee Settlement, home to more than 280,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burundi and Rwanda, and few Ugandan nationals. it is a community of people who speak more than 7 languages and come from than 7 different cultural backgrounds and countries and communities making it difficult to unite. On top of that many people especially children have come to this new community when they are emotionally and mentally challenged by the wars, conflicts and unpleasant environments they have been too in their home countries.

@RCAuganda together with our partners such as @thegiftofchess and @WeAreCohere_Org we are creating meaningful spaces for refugee children to be feel safe, to learn and most importantly to overcome psychological trauma through chess as a simple tool.

[The Gift of Chess @thegiftofchess]

Kuka Kyle, a 16 year old Kenyan chess prodigy, is in NYC to train at the Elite Training Camp held in Times Square. Kyle who recently took 2nd place at the Kenyan National Chess Championship will compete in two rated games per day along with instruction led by GM Alex Lenderman.

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

The work being done in Nakivale is important

[Julien Kanyonga @julienkanyonga]

Welcome to Nakivale Refugee Settlement, where I proudly support refugee children and youth, just as I was once supported.
Through my work, I am committed to advancing three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
•Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
•Goal 4: Quality Education
•Goal 5: Gender Equality
Together with our community, we create safe spaces where young people can learn, grow, build confidence, and discover opportunities that empower them to shape a brighter future.

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

Not just play. We build spaces that matters, spaces that gives girls the opportunity to dream again, opportunities to feel seen and heard. This is what our work is made for. Thanks to our partners for making this happen

[The Gift of Chess @thegiftofchess]

One of our biggest challenges has been funding. To date, I have personally funded our outreach activities without external financial support. Although it has not always been easy, it has never stopped me from pursuing the vision that inspired @chess4hope. Seeing children discover the joy of chess, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills reminds me why this mission is worth every sacrifice.

Chess4Hope is built on the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream, and grow through chess. We are committed to reaching more underserved communities across Nigeria, and joining @thegiftofchess community is a major milestone that will help us expand our impact and reach many more children.

I am sincerely grateful to The Gift of Chess for welcoming Chess4Hope into this global movement. Together, we can ensure that more children experience the life changing power of chess one chess set, one move, and one child at a time.

[Julien Kanyonga @julienkanyonga]

So much joy, our goal is to heal wounds that have bleeded from unplanned circumstances, staying in wars that seemed never to end was never an option anymore.
Together with @thegiftochess @raiseches and partners we are healing wounds of broken hearts from refugee children allover the world who have been heart my wars, persecution and life long loss of families members. Chess is bringing smiles on their faces

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

In Nakivale Refugee Settlement,we are championing the future of refugee children and youth through the power of chess. What begins with a single move on the chessboard grows into confidence, critical thinking, leadership, resilience, and hope beyond the game.

[The Gift of Chess @thegiftofchess]

Happy International Chess Day.

[Cohere @WeAreCohere_Org]

WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU...
"We need your trust more than your money."
Racheal Nyibol is the founder of Refugee Mental Health Network, a refugee-led organisation based in Kampala, Uganda.
She explains why trust���not donor demands—is key to serving her community.
Start with trust.

[Cohere @WeAreCohere_Org]

WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU... “You don’t know what’s best for us.”
Chichi Dawla, founder of Kandaakiat in Uganda, explains why true impact fails without refugee-led planning. For meaningful change, we must involve refugee leaders from day one.

Start with trust. 👇

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

Good morning @PeterGiannatos from the @charlottechesscenter @chessable we read your book everyday. You are so genius.

[The Gift of Chess @thegiftofchess]

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein

[Cohere @WeAreCohere_Org]

WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU... "Making decisions for us is what holds us back."
Julien Kanyonga, founder of Raise Chess Academy, believes true change happens when refugees shape their own futures. Watch 🎥👇

#WhatIfWeToldYou #Agency

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

@thegiftofchess @UN @guitargirrl @promotingqueens Congratulations change maker

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

Our work matters @thegiftofchess @julienmayele0

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

@AfriChess Thank you very much

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

The Venue erupts.

STUDENTS supports each other.

The MASTERS & STUDENTS GAMES season 1 2026

[Raise Chess Academy @RCAuganda]

@Davidatipe1 @thegiftofchess Consult chess academies near you or check with online resources