Ocer Makes Its Mark in National Physics Contest
In the course of Terms I and II, students from across Uganda were invited to participate in the 2026 National Physics Contest. The annual contest brings together students from S1 to S4 to test and demonstrate their understanding of physics.
Ocer Campion Jesuit College was ready for the challenge. Building on its achievements in other academic competitions, the school sent a strong team—not merely to participate, but to compete. Among the participants was Labongo Peter Benjamin, a Senior Three student who went on to secure an impressive sixth place nationally.
According to Teacher Nyeko Baptist Lajono, Head of the Physics Department at Ocer, a total of 92 OCJC students sat the first paper, Paper 1. Of these, 36 Ocerians progressed to Paper 2. When the dust finally settled, Labongo Peter Benjamin emerged as the school’s sole representative among the top performers, securing sixth place nationally and putting Ocer firmly on the national stage.
For Tr. Lajono, Labongo’s achievement is significant not only for the student, but also for the Physics Department and the entire school. It demonstrates the potential of OCJC learners when they are adequately prepared, supported and given opportunities to participate in academic competitions.
Following the announcement of the results, Tr. Lajono and Labongo Peter Benjamin travelled to Kampala to attend the awards ceremony and witness the recognition of Uganda’s outstanding young physics enthusiasts.
The ceremony took place on Saturday, 19 September 2026, at the Department of Physics, Makerere University, during the Annual General Meeting of the Uganda Physics Society. Labongo Peter Benjamin was formally recognized for his outstanding performance and presented with a medal and a certificate. Ocer was also presented with a certificate in recognition of its participation and for producing one of the country’s top-performing students.
So, what does it feel like to emerge among the best physics students in the country? Below, Labongo Peter Benjamin tells his story.
The Exams
This year, we were fortunate to take part in the National Physics Contest. The Contest had two categories: Category 1 (S1 and S2) and Category 2 (S3 and S4). Being an S3 student, I competed in Category 2.
The Contest comprised two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both papers were set in line with the guidelines of the New Curriculum, which emphasizes the application of critical thinking to problems.
We sat Paper 1 in Term I and Paper 2 in Term II, on July 11. The papers had three sections: Section A (Theoretical Physics), Section B (Applied Physics), and Section C (Innovation). Sitting Paper 2 was contingent on passing Paper 1. Among the Ocerians who took part in the Contest, only 36, or 39%, passed Paper 1. Two were in S2, seven were in S3, and twenty-six were in S4.
After the examinations, I came away with the impression that Paper 2 had been harder than Paper 1. So, when I learnt that I had actually excelled in Paper 2, I was surprised—and, to be honest, quite shocked! I learnt that I had emerged as the best student in Section B (Applied Physics) in the country. When the scores from the three sections were put together, I ranked sixth nationally. What a surprise!
The Awards
Following the release of the results, I was informed that I had been selected to attend the awards ceremony at Makerere University. Only ten students were invited for special recognition and awards: six from Category 1 and four from Category 2.
I was awarded a silver medal, a Uganda Physics Society T-shirt, and a certificate. In addition, I, together with the other 34 Ocerians who sat Paper 2, received certificates of appreciation. I was also lucky enough to be interviewed by the Daily Monitor.
Physics: What Next?
The Uganda Physics Contest was neither the first of its kind nor the last. It has a precedent in the Uganda Mathematics Society, which has been organizing national mathematics contests and promoting mathematics-related activities in Ugandan schools. The Uganda Physics Society appears to have similar ambitions.
The Society intends to spearhead the promotion of physics clubs in schools across the country. Club members will, it is hoped, carry out projects that translate classroom knowledge into real-life applications. In line with this objective, next year’s Contest will be a real-life quiz, the Society said. Students whose ideas prove particularly innovative will participate in a workshop focused on turning those ideas into real, implementable solutions.
Furthermore, the Society is engaging various partners in an effort to find effective and workable methods of promoting Physics, Physics education, and science education among young learners.
Currently, the Society is working in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the two plan to organize physics workshops in which students from various schools will be invited to participate.
Needless to say, Physics in Uganda seems to have a promising future; I look forward to taking an active part in what the future holds.
I advise Ocerians to love Physics, as everything we do in our everyday lives has some connection with it. I further urge non-candidates to participate fully in next year’s Physics Contest and help put the school on the map.
