Greenhill Academy excelled at the 12th edition of the Enjuba National Spelling Bee, clinching the top three spots in the competition's grand finale held at Serena Hotel.
Over 150 students from various districts across Uganda participated in the event, showcasing their spelling prowess.
Ethan Arinaitwe, the Kampala District Spelling Bee Champion and a standout competitor from Greenhill Academy, emerged as the overall winner.
He was closely followed by fellow students Talindeka Jethro (1st Runner-Up) and Ochen Francis (2nd Runner-Up). The top three winners were awarded tablets and Shs1 million each, courtesy of Plan International Uganda.
To celebrate their victory, Greenhill Academy also received a bull for meat roasting festivities.
The top three spellers will represent Uganda in a continental spelling competition in South Africa.
Additionally, the top 20 participants will join the NJUBA Fellows program, focusing on mentorship and personal growth.
Teddy Awori, the coordinator of the Njuba National Spelling Bee, expressed her satisfaction with the event, which she sees as a vital tool for enhancing students’ skills.
"The main goal of this competition is to improve learning outcomes, particularly in developing students' executive function skills," Awori stated.
She highlighted the competition’s rigorous selection process, which begins with internal competitions at schools, followed by district-level contests, where the top 20 students advance to the national finals.
The guest of honor, Phoebe Kasoga, country director of Plan International Uganda, commended Enjuba’s work and called on other organizations to support the initiative, noting, "Spelling is more than memorizing words; it's about understanding their meanings and developing skills that will serve throughout life."
Organized by Enjuba, a non-profit dedicated to early childhood education and literacy, the National Spelling Bee continues to empower young Ugandans and nurture future leaders.
Co-founded by Aaron Kirunda, Enjuba aims to foster literacy, confidence, and leadership skills among Uganda's next generation.