Kampala is one of the fastest developing cities in Africa and to cater to for the demand, several new international schools have opened since the beginning of this century.
Due to the vast quantities of oil and gas hidden below the staggeringly beautiful landscape of Uganda, Kampala has left the war-torn city of the 1980’s well behind and is now a happy place to be an expat, offering some of the most spectacular wildlife in Africa, as well as the modern essentials of international schools and shopping malls.
So while the choice used to be pretty limited – and the norm was to send your children to boarding school back home - there are now several schools that live up to international expectations and are recognised by independent international bodies.
While Uganda may have changed enormously over the last 30 years, this country is still attached to the memories of ‘Empire’ as it remained a British protectorate until 1962. Even now, you drive on the left-hand side, learn English in school and, probably, drink tea. However, this is Africa and you also have to navigate the obstacles of endless potholes and manhole covers on the roads (the daughter of a famous BBC journalist was swallowed up by one and had to be rescued with a rope) and be content to live largely on tropical fruit.
As an expat, it is most unlikely that you would consider sending your children to a state school in Uganda as the structure, quality of teaching and the teacher:student ratio, as well as the cultural differences, would make it difficult for an expat child to either thrive or transfer to schools in other countries. Girls are still discriminated against and only around half the students are literate at the end of primary school. Although UNICEF is targeting the worst performing districts with the aim of improving literacy to 75 per cent by the end of grade 6, this is still not an environment that comes anywhere near the exacting standards of those used to international-style education.
Given the colonial past, it is perhaps unsurprising that nearly half the international schools teach the A level syllabus after IGCSEs and that the percentage of schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma is relatively low compared to some global cities. Of the all-through schools only one does not offer IGCSEs, preferring to teach the complete (barring the Careers option) International Baccalaureate Programme. At primary level (including in the all-through schools), an adapted English national curriculum is available, with one odd man out that teaches an American curriculum up to age 14.
In almost all cases, international schools mean getting in the car. However, most of the schools are less than 30 minutes away from the two main areas where expats tend to live - unless, of course, the truly appalling traffic has one of its no-go days. The furthest away (wherever you live) takes 45 minutes.
Most of the schools we recommend are independently accredited by either the Council of International Schools (CIS) or the independent American agency the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA). One school is accredited by both. A couple of others are Accredited Members of the Council of British International Schools, COBIS.
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ International Primary Curriculum; ages 3-11; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 270 students
Founded in 1989, by a group of Italian parents who named it Scuola Italiana Padre Giuseppe Ambrosoli, after the charismatic priest of the same name. Located in the rural suburb of Bugolobi and is in the middle of carrying out a development plan. Accredited by the Council of Independent Schools (CIS) and in June 2019 became the first school in Uganda to be authorised to teach the IPC.
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma/ ISU High School Diploma; ages 3-19; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 540 students
Established in 1967 and located on a 33 acre campus on the outskirts of Kampala. Catering to students from over 60 different nationalities. Only school in Uganda to offer the three main International Baccalaureate programmes but the school states that it does not publish graduate statistics due to the small size of the classes. It does say that ‘almost all, without exception, enter competitive four year colleges.’ Dually accredited by the Council of International School (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
Adapted American curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 150 students
An international school in Muyenga, Kampala with a strong Christian ethos. The school has expanded upwards and is now divided into junior and senior divisions on separate campuses. The first cohort graduated in 2019. Accredited by the Middle Schools Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and the Association of Christian Schools (ACSI).
Adapted curriculum/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 550 students
Initially established in the early 30’s in over 20 villages and towns, the Aga Khan schools run by AKES consist of two nurseries, one primary and elementary and one secondary in Kampala. This is the international division of the senior school, which teaches IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Cambridge 1, 2/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 2-19; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 400 students
Located in Lubowa, 10 kms outside Kampala, on a modern, purpose-built campus. A Cambridge International School, following the Cambridge curricula from nursery to A Levels. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ International Primary Curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level/ BTEC; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 360 pupils
Part of the constantly expanding GEMS Education group of schools, currently with 300 schools in 20 countries catering for 300,000 global students. Approximately, 70 per cent local students and the remainder international. Based on a quiet rural campus in Luzira. An all-through school founded in 2013. Graduates go on to universities in North America, the UK and Europe as well as in Africa.
Adapted curriculum/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 380 students
Opened in 1994, in Kansanga on Kawafa Road. A school with a very strong Christian ethos, stating that ‘…every course is taught from a Biblical perspective’ and offering discounted fees for missionary families. Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and also by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 2-19; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 600 students
Founded in 1993, and on its present purpose-built site in central Kampala since 2008. An international (over 80 per cent from over 50 different nationalities) education featuring a version of the English curriculum in primary leading to a secondary school teaching IGCSEs and the option of the International Baccalaureate Diploma on offer. Owned by Ruparelia Group, a multi-faceted conglomerate, who have recently taken over Victoria University in Kampala. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
EYFS/ adapted National Curriculum for England/ International Primary Curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level/ BTEC; ages 2-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 800 students
Opened in 1991, as a primary school with just 29 pupils, and grown into an all-through international school offering IGCSEs, A Levels and BTEC courses, all taught in English. On a secure campus in Makindye, Kampala. An Accredited Member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and registered with the Department for Education (DFE) in the UK.
If you have been posted to Uganda or voluntarily decided to live and work here, consider yourself lucky. Uganda is a great place to be and bring up children. A warm, tropical, but not overly humid climate; relaxed, friendly people and an array of stunningly beautiful places.