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You may be part of the growing expatriate community in Uganda, or you might even be a private citizen in the country with a little money stashed up.

 

Whatever the case might be, you’re curious about the kind and variety of international schools you might be able to take your child to while in Uganda. 

 

As all parents know, the availability and easy accessibility of great schools can greatly affect a family’s decision to move places. 

 

Should you move to the more prosperous neighborhoods of Kampala such as Makindye and Nakawa? These are two of the five boroughs that Kampala is divided into, and they host most of the international schools in Uganda’s capital, after all. 

 

Or should you relocate to a less expensive neighborhood, and look for a school with an efficient bus service instead? 

 

Naturally, there’s a small number of international schools in the other districts (Kampala Central, Kawenpe, and Rubaga) and even further afield. 

 

Remember, while Uganda might boast a stable and healthy economy that’s supported by a growing population, it’s still a developing nation. 

 

This means that its infrastructure and facilities don’t rival those of first-world countries, and chaotic traffic and school bus services that aren’t necessarily a standard offering are to be expected. 

 

You must, therefore, take the time to research your schools of choice, as well as the transport options available to you, before making your final decision. Naturally, you also want an international school that offers the curriculum you want your child to learn, which could be: 

 

• Indian
• British
• French
• American 
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

 

Unsurprisingly, British curriculum schools are the majority in the country—a fact that can be attributed to Uganda’s colonial past. Read on to find out what schools to consider when making your choice among the top international schools in Uganda.

 

1. International School of Uganda 

 

 

 

Founded in 1967 on a 33-acre campus in Lubowa, the International School of Uganda (ISU) boasts the privilege of being the oldest international school in Uganda. 

 

Initially called The Lincoln School, the co-educational ISU is an independent private non-profit institution that’s non-denominational. About 530 students attend the various school levels offered here which comprise Early Childhood, Junior School, and Senior School. 

 

While students are not required to wear uniforms (there’s an exception for sports), they are taught in English in preparation for their International Baccalaureate Diploma. 

 

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) are also part of the curricula on offer. Special Educational Needs (SEN) support is available, as are teaching assistants.

 

A school bus service consisting of a fleet of 17 buses is available, and it serves students around Kampala and Entebbe.

 

ISU is registered by the US State Department, and it is a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), International Schools of Southern and Eastern Africa (ISSEA), and World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA). 

 

The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) as well as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS/MSA).

 

2. Acacia International School 

 

 

Located in Muyenga, Acacia International School is an independent private non-profit co-educational day school that has two campuses. It was formerly known as Acacia Classical Academy. 

 

While it’s a Christian school, Acacia International School is not affiliated with any denomination. It does, however, aim to provide an excellent and balanced education in an environment that’s reflective of the love, joy, and peace of Christ.

 

Its Junior School serves students in the Early Years to Grade Five, while its Senior School hosts students in Grades Six to Twelve. About 280 boys and girls from a diverse mix of 31 nations attend this school.

 

Students do wear uniforms, and they are taught in English. Those in elementary and middle school study using a North American Classical curriculum that’s adapted for an international setting. 

 

Meanwhile, students in high school are prepared for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-Levels. There’s no SEN support available. 

 

The school does not provide a bus service, though parents can opt to carpool or use any of the independent bus companies that provide transportation to some of Acacia’s students. 

 

Acacia International School is a Cambridge International Examination school and a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Additionally, it’s accredited by MSA.  

 

3. Ambrosoli International School 

 

 

Ambrosoli International School, which was opened in 1994, is located at Bugolobi—just outside of Kampala and on the edge of Lake Victoria. 

 

It’s a co-educational primary day school that hosts about 270 children between the ages of 3 and 11 from over 40 different countries. Additionally, Ambrosoli International School is an independent and privately owned school that’s not affiliated with any religion or denomination. 

 

The school requires its students to wear uniforms, and they are taught in English using the UK Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage I, and 2 English National Curriculum, as well as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). SEN support is available, and so are teaching assistants.  

 

The school is a member of AISA, and it’s also accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) as well as IPC.

 

4. Acorns International School 

 

 

Established as a preschool in 1996, Acorns International School went on to become a primary school in 2012. It’s now offering secondary school education too. 

 

The school, which is located on a five-acre campus just off Bukoto-Kisaasi Road along the Northern Bypass, is home to 260 students from more than 50 countries.

 

Students must wear a uniform and receive instruction in English.

 

As an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum School, Acorns International School offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). 

 

Additionally, Acorns International School offers the Cambridge A-Levels program. Students with special needs also enjoy SEN support. 

 

The school offers daycare facilities up to 5:30 PM, and a school bus service is also available. 

 

5. Ecole Française Les Grands Lacs

 

 

Home to about 220 students from 32 different nationalities, the school Les Grands Lacs is part of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) network which was founded under the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development in 1990. 

 

The school, which is located in Lugogo, is a secular institution that provides children with possibilities to learn in preschool, primary school, and high school.

 

The curriculum at Les Grands Lacs is French-based, however, education is delivered in both English and French. Language assistance is also available for students who are not fluent in either language.

 

While uniforms are not required, a sports uniform is available for middle and high school students. There’s no school bus service available, however. 

 

Les Grands Lacs prepares students to take the French national brevet diploma diplôme national du brevet (DNB) at the end of Middle School, and the French Baccalauréat upon completion of High School education. Cambridge certifications in English are also provided. 

 

The school also has a dedicated staff and programs that cater to students with special learning needs. 

 

 

Top International Schools in Uganda, Summarized

Having looked at some of the top international schools in Uganda. The table below adds a few others to the list and compiles details such as their names, curriculum offered, and language of instruction in one place. 

 

School	Language of Instruction	Curriculum/ Certifications	Day/ Boarding	Location
International School of Uganda	English	International Baccalaureate (IB)	Day	Lubowa
Acacia International School	English	Adapted American curriculum IGCSE A-Levels	Day	Muyenga
Ambrosoli International School	English	Adapted National Curriculum for England International Primary Curriculum	Day	Bugolobi
Acorns International School	English	IB A-Levels	Day	Kisaasi
Ecole Française Les Grands Lacs	French and English	Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) French Baccalauréat Cambridge Certifications	Day	Lugogo
Kampala International School Uganda (KISU)	English	Adapted National Curriculum for England IGCSE IB	Day	Bukoto
GEMS Cambridge International School	English	Adapted National Curriculum for England IGCSE A-Levels Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Level 3 Extended Diploma	Day and Boarding	Luzira
Galaxy International School Uganda	English	IGCSE A-Levels International Primary Curriculum	Day	Lubowa
Rainbow International School Uganda	English	National Curriculum for England IGCSE A-Levels BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma	Day and Boarding	Makindye
Heritage International School	English	Advanced Placement (AP) Adapted/School-Developed Curriculum at Primary and Middle School Levels American High School Diploma (College Preparatory) International Primary Curriculum	Day	Kansanga
Vienna College Namugongo*	English	IGCSE A-Levels *Largest Cambridge International School by enrollment and candidates in Uganda	Boarding	Namugongo