From July to August 2025, the enjuba team hit the road for the district spelling bee country tour. After what felt like an eternity, we found ourselves under the dust and sunshine of Jinja, Tororo, Mbale, Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, Mubende, Kole, Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts. Over the course of the tour, we engaged with over 900 pupils.

This year marks the first full return of the district spelling bee tour since the pre-Covid era. And while it may look like a simple revival, it’s a celebration of young talent and community collaboration from all regions of the country.

2025: A Year of Community Partnerships

One of the highlights of this year’s tour has been the incredible support from local organisations and initiatives. In Kole District, Meraki Initiative took the reins, Youth Talent Foundation in Mubende and Knowledge for Children championed the bee in Masaka. Across the country, these partners helped bring the competitions to life in their communities. Their involvement ensures that the spelling bee reaches far beyond the usual hubs, allowing more children to participate and showcase their talents.

From teacher trainings in June to the launch of competitions in July, the spelling bee has reemerged across Uganda. Each district competition has been a chance to witness the excitement, determination, and skill of the young spellers.

Meet the National Contenders

Of the 900+ spellers, 127 qualified on merit to compete for the national crown. The number of qualifiers from each district varied according to a quota system, based on the number of competitors in that district. This ensured fair representation across the country while rewarding outstanding performance at every level. You can find the list of the national qualifiers here.