Gayaza Junior excels in schools scrabble

The recent visit to Uganda by Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) president Adekoyejo Adegbesan has begun to bear fruit, with Gayaza Junior School emerging overall winners of the 2026 Inter-Schools Scrabble Championship held at Wampeewo Ntake Secondary School in Wakiso District over the weekend.

Gayaza Junior School is among the institutions where the continental president camped during the Scrabble Trophy Tour ahead of the PANASA Africa Youth Scrabble Championship held in Nairobi in August last year. During his visit, he praised Uganda's scrabble development roadmap through the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Future Stars Sports Program, which promotes the game at Gayaza Junior School.

The competition, organised by the Scrabble Association of Uganda (SAU), attracted participants from 15 schools competing in both primary and secondary categories.

In the primary schools' category, Gayaza Junior School emerged as the best girls' team, while Good Times Primary School claimed the boys' title. Winning teams were awarded medals, certificates, and a Scrabble board.

Outstanding individual performers included Elizabeth Nakimuli of Gayaza Junior School, who was named the best female player in the primary category, and Elisha Sserunkuuma of Good Times Primary School, who was recognized as the best male player.

Ronald Lwebuga, the Future Stars Sports Program coach, attributed the success to consistent training and exposure combined with support from the school.

"Five of the players were among the 29 who represented Uganda at the Africa Youth Schools Championship in Nairobi, where the country finished fourth. I also commend the school administration for creating time for the children to play scrabble despite their busy academic schedule," Lwebuga said.

The secondary school competition was not completed and will be rescheduled, according to SAU technical official Godwin Murungi.

Meanwhile, Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) technical chairman for scrabble, Joel Muwanika, revealed plans to organize another regional competition as they prepare a national team for the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship, scheduled for August 7–9 in Nairobi.