Inaugural National Schools Scrabble Championship set for Saturday

More than 200 students from 20 primary and secondary schools across Uganda are eagerly preparing for the inaugural Future Stars, Scrabble Association of Uganda (SAU) National Schools Scrabble Championship, set to take place this Saturday at Gayaza Junior School in Wakiso District.

The championship marks a significant milestone in the development of scholastic Scrabble in Uganda and is expected to bring together some of the country's most talented young players in a highly competitive contest of vocabulary, strategy, and intellectual prowess.

The tournament is being organised by the Future Stars Dynamic Sports Programme, an initiative dedicated to identifying, nurturing, and refining emerging talent among young Ugandans across a wide range of sporting disciplines.

Through structured competitions and development programs, Future Stars seeks to provide a platform for gifted youngsters to showcase their abilities, pursue their aspirations, and ultimately evolve into future national and international sporting icons.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the championship at Gayaza Junior School, Godwin Murungi, Vice President in charge of Technical Affairs at the Scrabble Association of Uganda, described the tournament as a crucial stepping stone in the country's efforts to strengthen its youth Scrabble structures and expand Uganda's footprint on the international stage.

Murungi revealed that the championship will serve as the primary selection platform for Uganda's team to the forthcoming World Youth Scrabble Championship, scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 7 to 9, 2026.

"This championship presents a remarkable opportunity not only for the participating students but also for the continued growth of Scrabble in Uganda," he said.

"All the schools that have registered possess exceptional talent, and the standard of competition is expected to be extremely high. As officials, we have the challenging responsibility of identifying the very best players from an already outstanding pool of talent."

Host institution Gayaza Junior School has assured participants, officials, parents, and supporters of a world-class tournament environment. The school's head teacher, Sarah Tebugulwa, pledged the institution's full commitment to delivering what she described as one of the best-organised schools' Scrabble championships ever staged in the country. S

he noted that extensive preparations had been undertaken to ensure a seamless and professional event, including comprehensive security, adequate competition facilities, and standard Scrabble equipment required for competitive play.

"We are delighted to host this historic championship and have worked tirelessly to ensure that every participant enjoys a safe, comfortable, and professionally managed experience. We want the students to focus entirely on showcasing their talent and enjoying the competition," she said.

Confirmed participants include Gayaza Junior School, Kiira College Butiki, Bishops Secondary School, Standard High School, Seroma High School, Good Times Junior School, St. Catherine Junior School, among several other institutions.