The Uganda Mathematics Society (UMS) last week chose its 15 semi-finalists for the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), due in Brazil later this year in July.
The team of 15 student finalists was selected from 65 competitors who participated in the national Mathematics Olympiad camp held at Light Academy SS (formerly Turkish Light Academy) in Kigo from January 8 to 16, 2017. The camp involved training in four Mathematics topics: Geometry, Number Theory, Combinatorics and Algebra, which are also the same papers examined at the IMO.
During the camp, Dr David Ssevviiri taught the students Algebra, Dr Saul Hannington Nsubuga conducted classes in Geometry and Dr Alex Bamunoba in Number Theory, while Dr David Ddumba-Walakira was responsible for Combinatorics.
All four are lecturers in the Mathematics department at Makerere University. The department is also the main host of the Uganda Mathematics Society (UMS).
The team of 15 students was drawn out after a test held at Light Academy SS last week and Nobert Turihohabwe (St Mary’s College Rushoroza) came first among the winners.
Others on the team are Andrew Tugume (Mengo SS), Bergen Tuk Muhwezi (St Mary’s College Kisubi), Emmanuel Obongi (St Peter’s SS Nsambya), Simon Ivan Minge (King's College Budo), Derrrick Mpiima (Masaka SS), Sharifah Naigaga Kirunda (Nabisunsa Girls), Paul Okwija Mugume (St Mary’s College Kisubi), Gilbert Ssenyonjo (St Mary’s College Kisubi), Justin Oweitu Ahumuza (King's College Budo), Claire Martha Kusemererwa (Mt St Mary’s College Namagunga), Biirah Atiila Kharobo (Mt St Mary’s College Namagunga), Susan Laura Kantono (Mt St Mary’s College Namagunga), Timothy Victor Luyirika (St Mary’s College Kisubi) and Collins Twinamatsiko (St Mary’s College Rushoroza).
In explaining the activities at the camp, the UMS general secretary, Caroline Aliba, reported that the students would be engaged in a three-day training session in March, before participating in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad, due in Morocco in the same month.
“After this they will return and we shall then pick the final six students, who will take part in a one-week training session at Makerere University with experts from Minerva College of Arts and Science in before they head for Brazil,” Aliba said.
She also revealed that unlike in the past, students winning a medal at the Olympiad would earn a scholarship at a European university of their choice.
“The opportunity to excel in life is right in your hands … seize it,” she added.
At the end of the training camp, the head teacher of Light Academy SS, Ibrahim Karadag, commended the UMS for their efforts in improving appreciation of Mathematics.
“I’m pleased at the increasing participation of female students at this camp … mathematics is mother of all subjects and helps us attain development in the country,” he said.
Karadag pledged to continue supporting the UMS in its efforts. The event was concluded with the chief guest, Paul Musoke, (a technical supervisor in the education ministry’s secondary department), charging the students to continue to excel.
“Whatever you do, always aim to improve … and for those who will represent Uganda abroad, be good ambassadors,” he said.
mtalemwa@observer.ug