Michelle Claire Kihembo a P.7 Candidate at Bishop Asiri Memorial Primary School in Kabale District was today welcomed back to school with heroic celebrations after winning the third position for Western Uganda in the National Mathematics Contest.
The 13-year-old Kihembo was among the 648 pupils from all schools across the country who reached the final phase of the National Mathematics Contest organized at Makerere University, by the Uganda Mathematical Society, with support from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants – CPA. Bishop Asiri fielded 72 pupils in the National contest.
Kihembo attributed her performance to support from her parents, siblings, teachers and God. She expressed amazement at the magnificent size of Makerere University and vowed to work hard so that she could earn points enabling her to reach Uganda’s largest and most prestigious academic institution. Kihembo said her dream was to become a surgeon.
According to the Assistant Head of Mathematics Department at Bishop Asiri Memorial School, Mr. Henry Ayebazibwe, Kihembo was the 2nd Best at regional level contest before she represented Western Uganda in the National Mathematics Quiz, and came in the third position for Western Uganda, after Central and Easter Uganda.
The Head Teacher Bishop Memorial P.S Rev. Sr. Margret Tusiime said Kihembo’s performance was not a surprise to them because she was an excellent performer from Primary five.
Kihembo is daughter to Mr. Nahabwe Pius Karanzi and Nahabwe Christine who hail from Maziba Subcounty Kabale District. Ms. Christine attributed her child’s performance to the teachers at the school. She also revealed that she had done a business course at University, and therefore helped her daughter in mathematics calculations during holidays.
The National Mathematics Contest was held in phases beginning march 2023. Pupils qualified from the District to Regional level and finally to the National Level. The final contest was held on Saturday 22nd July. 2023.
It was Bishop Asiri Memorial School’s second time to have regional contestants after two of their pupils became the best at both Regional and National Level in 2017. In the same year, Bishop Asiri was ranked the best among all schools whose pupils sat for Primary Leaving Examinations –PLE. In 2017, the School scored 100%, with all the 50 pupils coming in the first Division.
Last year, Bishop Asiri was again the Best School in Kabale District at PLE. The School located in Kirigime ward, Kaballe Municipality had 16 pupils with aggregate 4, implying that they had a distinction 1- D.1 in each of the four subjects; Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and English.
Additional reporting by Naboth Isaac Niwagaba
