Omweso: Count & Capture: Group of enthusiasts revives Uganda's oldest board game

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The local sport of Omweso is one of the oldest board games in Uganda. But with the changing times, the game has slowly lost much of its importance. However, a growing group of enthusiasts continues to play Omweso, leading to hopes of a revival, as Leon Ssenyange reports from Kampala.

A board, seeds and the counting. This is Omweso. And it's game on here.

LEVI KIYABWE OMWESO PLAYER "This game is amazing. I relax here when am done with my work and I also meet my friends here."

Folklore has it that the game was introduced in Uganda by the Bachwezi tribe. It is one females were not allowed to play, although that's no longer the case.

KIGANIRA SSEBULIBA BUGANDA MWESO ASSOCIATION "It's a very traditional sport. In Buganda, it was played before Kings."

Omweso is played using sixty-four black seeds moved across the board. The normal way to win is to capture an opponent's seeds until he is unable to make a move.

KIGANIRA SSEBULIBA BUGANDA MWESO ASSOCIATION "The counting in Omweso helps sharpen one's mind. If you teach a child Omweso, they'd be brilliant."

LEON SSENYANGE NAKIVUBO, UGANDA "These are some of the best players around. And while they tell me this is only a practice match, its competitive nature is already drawing a crowd."

And they enjoy every move. The local Omweso association is planning on improving its popularity.

KYAGABA MUSOKE BUGANDA MWESO ASSOCIATION "We are moving about in schools and different regions teaching people Omweso. Already some university students have liked the sport and they play it competitively."

New Omweso playing clubs are also being formed. And to keep the game alive, competitions are being held more often than before. So with more people playing Omweso, it could soon recapture its place as one of Uganda's most popular games. LS, CGTN, Nakivubo, Central Uganda.