Acorns’ 29-Year Rise: How a Small Kampala Preschool Grew into East Africa’s Education Powerhouse

By Mulengera Reporters 

What began nearly three decades ago as a small preschool in Nakasero has steadily grown into one of the most recognizable international education brands in East Africa, with Acorns International School on Friday this week adding yet another milestone to its journey through the official opening of its Lubowa Campus along Entebbe Road.

The commissioning of the Lubowa Campus, located just a few meters from the new Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters, did more than add a new address to Acorns’ portfolio. It symbolized the steady, deliberate expansion of a school that has grown quietly but consistently, guided by a long-term vision anchored in quality education, discipline and global standards.

It’s journey dates back to 1996, when it opened as a modest preschool in Nakasero, serving a small community of families in the city, with a simple but ambitious idea, to create a nurturing learning environment that could prepare children early for future academic success. Over the years, that vision took deeper root.

In 2012, the school made a bold step by opening its primary section at the Bukoto Campus, starting with just four (4) pupils, a phase which marked Acorns’ transition from early childhood education into a broader academic institution. What followed was gradual expansion, improved infrastructure and growing confidence from parents who saw consistency in learning outcomes and values.

As enrolment grew, Acorns extended its footprint to Kisaasi, further strengthening its presence in the capital and refining its international curriculum model. The school’s steady growth eventually crossed borders, with Acorns establishing international schools in Rwanda, confirming its evolution from a local school into a regional education player.

The newly opened Lubowa Campus represents the most ambitious chapter in that journey. Groundbreaking for the project took place on 30 January 2024, and in less than 24 months, the once-empty site was transformed into a modern campus, with three (3) swimming pools, designed to meet global learning standards.

School directors said the speed and scale of construction reflect strong board leadership, disciplined planning and sustained investment in education infrastructure.

Speaking during the opening, Acorns CEO Ameena Lalani described the Lubowa Campus as both a continuation and a culmination of the school’s long journey, noting that the campus was built not just as a learning space, but as a long-term legacy for families and students who seek world-class education within Uganda and East Africa.

The school’s journey has also been marked by recognition and social impact, recently named Best International School in Uganda for 2025, an award presented by Vice President Jessica Alupo.

The institution has maintained a strong community focus, providing free education to over 700 children through a model where one child is sponsored for every two enrolled, with support from the school’s partners. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).