James Armstrong Tinka Wins national scrabble tournament

James Armstrong Tinka was crowned champion of the national Scrabble tournament, taking home sh700,000 in prize money.

Tinka, who plays for Elite Scrabble Club Kyadondo in Kampala, won 13 games and lost five, with a spread of +1196.

He was followed by Isaac Mabinda of Office Scrabble Club, who also recorded 13 wins and five losses but had a +760 spread. Mathew Kawuki of Entebbe Scrabble Club finished third, with 12 wins and six losses and a spread of +810.

Other top finishers included Richard Geria, a former Uganda national Scrabble coach now playing for Gulu Scrabble Club, who placed fourth with 12 wins, six losses, and a +514 spread. Denis Apuli of Office Scrabble Club finished fifth with 12 wins, six losses, and a +460 spread.

The two-day tournament ran from Saturday to Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Dove’s Nest Hotel in Gulu City. A total of 27 Scrabble players from clubs across the country took part.

Tinka received sh700,000, runner-up Mabinda was awarded sh500,000, and third-placed Kawuki received sh300,000. Geria (fourth) got sh200,000, and Apuli (fifth) received sh100,000.

After receiving his prize, Tinka dedicated his victory to all the competitors. "They pushed me to play hard and win," he said. "I came to Gulu in the right state of mind, fully prepared for the tournament."

Chris Kalibala, Vice President of the Scrabble Association of Uganda, described the tournament as highly competitive. "Even going into the 18th round, four players had a chance to win, unlike other tournaments where the winner is known before the final round," he said. He encouraged players to keep practicing and prepare for another tournament in Mbarara later this month.

Nelson Kyagera, President of the association, said the event aims to select the best player to represent Uganda in regional and international competitions. He noted that after the upcoming Mbarara tournament, the players with the highest accumulated points will be chosen for international duty.

Anthony Ojok, Chairman of Gulu Scrabble Club, said the tournament ended well with good turnout from various clubs. However, he acknowledged a drop in performance from his own club. "Many of our players did not attend training. Out of 43 club members, only 16 competed in the national tournament," he said.

"We have a strategy to organize regular local tournaments in Gulu to keep our players active. Scrabble is a game of practice, if you don't practice regularly, you won't play well." Ojok also invited casual Scrabble players in Gulu to join the club to improve their skills and increase membership.

AGM Resolutions

During the national tournament, the association held its Annual General Meeting, where members agreed to form a constitutional committee to align the association with the Sports Act of 2025.

The association also tasked Scrabble clubs across the country to strengthen youth development by expanding outreach in schools from primary through to tertiary level, so that more students take up the game.

Additionally, the association agreed to work with district sports officers to promote Scrabble by including it in the school curriculum.