Lira, Uganda | Dr. Obote College (DOC) Boroboro has strengthened its reputation as one of northern Uganda’s leading centres of excellence in mathematics after one of its students qualified for the prestigious International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) training camp.
Senior Four student Odyek Luka was selected by the Uganda Mathematical Society (UMS) to attend the residential IMO 2026 Training Camp, which will be held from December 9 to 20 at Light Academy Secondary School in Lweza, Wakiso District. The invitation follows Luka’s outstanding performance in Paper II of the UMS National Mathematics Contest conducted on June 27, 2026.
Speaking after the release of the competition results during the Uganda Mathematics Conference at Makerere University, Dr. Obote College Mathematics teacher and Uganda Mathematical Society coordinator Ocepa Robert hailed the school’s impressive performance. He revealed that 15 out of the 25 students who sat the first paper of the National Mathematics Contest on March 28 successfully progressed to the second paper, describing the outcome as evidence of the school’s growing strength in mathematics.
Ocepa said Luka’s qualification marks the second time Dr. Obote College has produced a learner selected for the National International Mathematical Olympiad training programme. He noted that the student who qualified in 2023 is now pursuing human medicine at the university, demonstrating that mathematics competitions can open doors to higher education and other life-changing opportunities. He urged parents to support their children’s participation in such competitions, saying they expose learners to international events, scholarships, and future careers.
He also encouraged students to practise mathematics consistently, describing it as a practical subject that rewards discipline and continuous effort rather than last-minute revision. Ocepa commended the school’s headteacher, Rev. Dick Alengo, for his unwavering support in promoting mathematics and nurturing talented learners at Dr. Obote College.
For Luka, he said his qualification for the International Mathematical Olympiad training camp is the result of years of determination and persistence. He explained that he first joined the National Mathematics Contest in Senior Two after being inspired by former students who had excelled and earned international opportunities through mathematics. Although he did not succeed in his earlier attempts, he remained committed, regularly practising with fellow students under the guidance of teachers until he qualified for the second paper and eventually secured a place in the national training camp. He attributed his success to discipline, teamwork and the support of teachers and senior students, and encouraged fellow learners never to give up after setbacks, saying persistence, discipline, and faith eventually produce success.
Senior Six student Denis Armstrong Mola congratulated Luka on the achievement, saying it demonstrates the value of practising mathematics beyond the classroom. He appealed to parents and schools to support learners wishing to participate in mathematics competitions, observing that the registration fee of about UGX 10,000 is a worthwhile investment that can unlock national and international opportunities.
According to a letter dated July 30, 2026, the Uganda Mathematical Society selected learners for the training camp based on their performance in the national contest. The residential programme will sharpen participants’ skills in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics while preparing Uganda’s team for several international competitions in April, June, and July 2027.
These include the 68th International Mathematical Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, the International Mathematics Summer Camp in Beijing, China, the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad in Kigali, Rwanda, the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad in Croatia, the Eastern Africa Mathematics Olympiad, the India International Mathematics Competitions and the International Mathematical Olympiad for Artificial Intelligence.
The Uganda Mathematical Society has asked schools to support the selected students and submit parents’ or guardians’ contact details to facilitate preparations for the December training camp.