Odongkara crowned champion at Kenneth Kaheru Memorial Scrabble tourney

Edgar Odongkara has lifted the first Kenneth Kaheru Memorial Scrabble Tournament after recording 14 wins and 4 losses with a spread of +660.

The two-day event, which attracted 85 players, including 25 from Kenya, came to an end at the Jinja Golf Club in Jinja City. Kenya’s Allan Oyende was the runner-up with 13 wins and 5 losses, with a spread of +1294.

According to Nelson Woira Kyagera, the President of the Scrabble Association of Uganda (SAU), the tournament was in honour of Kaheru, whom he said was the brain behind the Rock Challenge on the SAU calendar.

Much as the sports body had lost scrablers before and had never held any memorial for them, Kyagera said the Rock Challenge by Kaheru came with style and was a class apart, hence changing the face of the game in Uganda.

The president explained how the Rock Challenge brought something new to the face of scrabble in Uganda, as it was punctuated with style and class, away from how they locally approached the game.

“Many of us do things locally, but he brought style and class to the game. All of you knew his character; he was a person who liked things to be very smooth and very classy,” he said.

Stella Kaheru (L) handing a cash prize of sh1m to Kenya's Stanley Njoroge who came third in the Kenneth Kaheru memorial scrabble tournament, right is SAU president Nelson Kyagera

Kyagera described the deceased, who died on February 27, 2026, as a very magnetic personality. This remained their biggest, well-resourced, and best-organized scrabble tournament so far in their calendar and of the year in Uganda.

“He is still pulling us even when he is not here. This is the biggest, well-resourced, and best-organized scrabble tournament so far in our calendar of the year in Uganda. It is simply magnetism,” Kyagera remarked.

Whereas many of them were financially well off, they were not able to share the little they had with others, but for the deceased, he brought and set a difference to the game.

This was also confirmed by Stella Kaheru, the deceased’s mother, who said their son gave his time and personal resources to scrabble and to SAU, yet he was not looking for praise or recognition, but because he believed in the players and their talents.

Some of the participants taking part in the Kenneth Kaheru Memorial Scrabble tournament on day two at the Jinja Golf Club in Jinja. By Jackie Nambogga

A mesmerized Stella said this was due to his love and passion for the game.

She said Kenneth didn’t play scrabble but truly loved the game and all that it stood for, as he wanted it to sharpen minds and bring people together, as evidenced by the huge turnout of the various stakeholders.

In her remarks, Stella said Kenneth wanted Team Uganda to always stand tall on the international stage, which at one time placed Uganda second in Botswana.

“He loved scrabble so much, but with that legacy, by this kind of spirit and tournament, you are carrying it forward. Thank you so much,” she remarked.

Stella, who was the chief guest, said with deep sorrow but also with gratitude and great pride in Kenneth as his mother, she knew many sides of him, such as his determination, commitment, and the passion he brought to the things he believed in.

She said the huge turnout of the various stakeholders reflected how their son touched many lives beyond his immediate family and close friends.

“The fact that you continue to come together means a great deal to us as a family, and it reminds us that he touched many lives beyond his immediate family and close friends,” she said.

All players were awarded certificates of participation, while the top 10 players were given cash prizes, and the best 3 also got trophies.

On top of the Shs2.5 million and Shs1.5 million cash prizes which Odongkara and Oyende received respectively, they also got trophies.

Whereas the Rock Challenge was taking place every two years, Kyagera said the Kaheru tournament would be taking place annually.

As a result, Odongkara told players to go back and revise their books as he was ready to defend his title next August.

Stella congratulated the winners and asked those who lost not to lose heart. She urged all of them to keep going, playing, competing, supporting one another, growing the game, and above all, keep alive the spirit which Kenneth supported in scrabble.

“Every time you sit around the board, compete, and every time Team Uganda represents this country, Kenneth’s dream lives on. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Stella as she closed the tournament.

The tournament was sponsored by Bujagali Energy Limited, where Kaheru worked as a civil engineer consultant, as well as the office, Rendevous Restaurant, Barrel House, Bourbon, Pearl of the Nile Hotel, Nile Village Hotel, including his friends.