Wampeewo Ntakke, Gayaza Junior School shine at inaugural Schools Scrabble Championship

Wampeewo Ntakke Secondary School stole the spotlight with a commanding display, clinching the top spot as the best-performing secondary school in both the boys' and girls' categories at the inaugural Future Stars-SAU National Schools Scrabble Championship, which wrapped up in lively fashion at Gayaza Junior School on Saturday.

Gayaza Junior School celebrated victory as the overall champions in the primary girls' category, with Parental Care Nursery and Primary School and St. Catherine Primary School following closely behind.

In the boys' primary division, Parental Care Nursery and Primary School from Bushenyi seized the title, outpacing Good Times Primary School Kawaala and St. Catherine Primary School.

Ntakke's triumph further burnished the school's reputation as a rising powerhouse in Uganda's mind sports scene, as they swept the secondary individual rankings by producing all the top three performers in both categories. In the girls' division, Tracy Namwanje finished first, ahead of Lynah Wampande and Vanessa Nassuna. In the boys' division, Rodney Ssebuliba claimed top spot, followed by Abdallah Diggo and Michael Ddamulira.

Earlier this year, Wampeewo Ntakke also excelled at the Father Grimes National Schools Chess Championship, where it finished as the best overall secondary school in the girls' category. Seeta High School A-Level Campus and St. Janan Secondary School-Bombo Campus finished second and third, respectively, in both the boys' and girls' categories.

In the primary girls' category, Tricia Atuhairwe finished first, followed by Kwikiriza Macrina of Parental Care Nursery and Primary School and Clancy Namujjuzi of Gayaza Junior School. The top three performers in the primary boys' category were Ethan Aarush Matsiko of Parental Care Nursery and Primary School, followed by Norlan Alinaitwe and Elisha Sserunkuuma, both from Good Times Primary School.

Speaking after the tournament, Scrabble Association of Uganda Vice President (Technical), Godwin Murungi, expressed satisfaction with the successful staging of the inaugural championship supported by Vision Publishing, Psalms Food Industries, Chapa General Enterprises, which provided gift hampers for each of the participants; and Jude Color Solutions, which provided plaques for the top players.

Murungi described the turnout and standard of competition as encouraging signs for the future growth of Scrabble in Uganda and urged schools, teachers, and parents to continue supporting young players both academically and psychologically as they prepare for international competition.

Gayaza Junior team after winning the Girls' category during the championship.

"Success at the global level demands more than technical ability. These young athletes need consistent mentorship, mental resilience, discipline, and strong support systems. If we prepare them comprehensively, I am confident they will make Uganda proud when they compete in Nairobi," he said.

The championship was organised by the Future Stars Sports Program in partnership with the Scrabble Association of Uganda. Future Stars is an initiative dedicated to identifying, nurturing, and developing young Ugandan talent across a wide range of sporting disciplines.

The one-day championship served as the official qualifier for the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 7-9.

The Wakiso District Sports Officer, Brian Ssenyonga, presided over the one-day championship, which aimed to provide participants with a more competitive environment and enhance their confidence, experience, and exposure.

The championship adopted an open format in which girls and boys competed against each other within their respective primary and secondary school categories.