The 4th African Spelling Bee has just been completed in Jinja, Uganda. The event brought together national spelling champions from 11 countries including Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan Zambia and the hosts, Uganda. Additional member countries Lesotho, Rwanda and Zimbabwe were late withdrawals due to logistical challenges.
After an intense 5 hours of competition, Mwansa Francis from Kafushi Boarding School in Chibombo in Zambia was crowned Senior Champion, while Samantha Bolo of Nyamninia Primary School in Siaya County in Kenya took away the Junior Champion crown.
The final positions in the Senior division were Mwansa Francis, Zambia first followed by Widad Mohamed of Sudan in second place with Ahmed Nadir from Sudan and Sulaiman Dunoma from Nigeria sharing third place

In the Junior Division, it was Samantha Bolo followed in joint second by Eniola Idowu of Nigeria and Ananya Karaikal Senthil from Uganda

Mwansa Francis ’victory was even more significant in that the Zambian team only managed to secure their participating at the last minute with support from Tarco Aviation and also that it was the first time Zambia had brought a team to the African Spelling Bee. In addition, IIE MSA, a leading private University in South Africa announce after the competition, that they would be continuing their support of the African Spelling Bee and that Mwansa Francis would be awarded a full Tuition Scholarship to IIE MSA on completion of High school.
In the team standings, Nigeria retained their Top Team prize they won in Kenya in 2019 with Sudan in second place and Kenya & Zambia sharing third.
The competition was held at the idyllic Jinja Nile resort and hosted by the Ugandan partner of the African Spelling Bee, enjuba.
According to Mr Aaron Kirunda, CEO of enjuba Uganda and current Chairman of the African Spelling Bee, the 2019 event was ‘epic’. “Uganda had the great honour of hosting several African Countries and some of the most outstanding young people on the Continent. The African Spelling Bee is a meritocracy based competition and the best students not the lucky one always wins.”
The event was supported and sponsored by MTN, Tarco Aviation from Sudan, African Bank, stationery supplier Office National, World Vision and Lucara Diamond Botswana.
Once the competition was over, participants enjoyed a visit to the Source of the White Nile river.
All participants returned safely to their home countries by Wednesday morning.
The African Spelling Bee is a growing association of national spelling bee organisation from across Africa that collectively impact the lives of over 7 million children each year.
The 2020 event is set to be held in Abuja, Nigeria with over 20 countries expected to participate.