St Gracious Senior Secondary School in Lira City is celebrating one of its Senior Six candidates set to represent the entire country at the International Chemistry Mendelev Olympiad in Moscow, Russia.
The competition will bring together more than 40 different countries. The school, which was established in 2020 under the patronage of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, says it has established itself as a centre of academic excellence in northern Uganda.
Atine Solomon, 18, who is studying BCM (Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics), is among the Ugandan representatives selected for the global competition scheduled for April 15–23, 2026.
He is expected to depart the country on April 14 aboard Turkish Airlines. Speaking to journalists, Solomon expressed confidence in his preparation and excitement about representing Uganda on the global stage.
The 18-year-old called for prayers and support, saying he is determined to raise the country’s flag high.
The school principal, Martin Ojok Anyuru, described the event as a “2-in-1 function” to both flag off the candidate and welcome new students of Senior One and Senior Five.
He attributed the school’s steady rise in academic performance to strong leadership and a clear vision from the Managing Director, Honorary Doctor Patrick Olet.
Ojok said the school has registered impressive results in recent years, including 25 candidates scoring 20 points in 2025, with expectations that many will qualify for government sponsorship.
He added that the school ranks highly in science subjects nationally and continues to gain recognition through participation in international competitions.
Lira City Assistant Resident City Commissioner, Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele, commended the school for its progress, noting that it has grown into an institution of both national and international standing.
Alele urged the school to focus more on global competitions and pledged continued government support to institutions that nurture skilled manpower.
Speaking as the chief guest, Lira Regional Referral Hospital Director, Dr. Andrew Odur, flagged off Atine Solomon Jr., a Senior Six candidate, to represent Uganda at the prestigious International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad in Moscow, Russia.
Odur commended the school leadership, particularly the founder, Dr. Patrick Olet, for transforming academic performance. He urged students to remain focused, disciplined, and visionary in the pursuit of academic excellence.
The flag-off was conducted on Sunday, April 12 at the St Gracious Senior Secondary School main campus located in Adag Ayela, Boke Ward, Lira City East Division, during a joint ceremony that was scheduled to welcome Senior One and Senior Five students of the 2026 academic year.
Dr. Odur emphasised the importance of science in solving real-life challenges, citing medical innovations such as dialysis, brain surgery, and neonatal care.
He added that science education is key to national development and expressed confidence that the school will produce more professionals, including doctors, to strengthen Uganda’s human resource base.
Dr Odur encouraged students to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, noting that government jobs are limited and that the private sector offers wider opportunities for growth and impact.
In 2025, St Gracious SS participated in the 59th edition of the competition in Brazil, where its students helped Uganda emerge second in Africa, behind South Africa.
This year, the school was selected alongside Bweranyangi Girls’ Senior Secondary School by the Ministry of Education and Sports to represent Uganda at the Olympiad.
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