Our History
U-Can International School was established in 2013 in response to the growing demand for high-quality international education in Entebbe, Uganda.
The school was founded with a mission to provide students with a world-class learning environment, combining academic excellence with holistic development to prepare them for success in an increasingly globalized world.
In 2012, Beat Odermatt began searching for an international school in Entebbe that would provide his young children with the education they needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. He had two key requirements for the school.
- First, it needed to offer a fun, hands-on program that would inspire creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in its students.
- Second, it had to be affordable while maintaining small class sizes and employing highly skilled, well-trained teachers.
Despite his efforts, he couldn’t find a school in or near Entebbe that met his expectations. While there were excellent schools in Kampala, the cost was prohibitive, and they required his children to endure long, tiring commutes every day. Determined to find a solution, Odermatt began discussing his vision with friends.
During these conversations, the idea of starting a new school took shape. The concept was clear: a school based on Canadian educational standards, known globally for their emphasis on student engagement, creativity, and inclusivity. A small, dedicated team came together to turn this vision into reality, drafting plans for a K-6 program that would use Ontario’s curriculum as its foundation. It was during this period that the name U-Can was born, reflecting the school’s unique identity and mission.
The name U-Can resonated for two important reasons. First, it symbolized the collaboration between Ugandan and Canadian educational values. The school would hire both Ugandan and expatriate teachers, and its curriculum would blend global standards with Ugandan culture, history, and geography to give students a well-rounded education.
Second, U-Can encapsulated the school’s core belief in the potential of every student. The name emphasized that each child is capable of achieving greatness, reflecting the empowering philosophy behind one of the school’s sayings, “Yes We Can.” At U-Can, every student is viewed as unique and special, with the ability to contribute meaningfully to their community and beyond.
This vision became the foundation of U-Can International School, which officially opened its doors in 2013. Since then, the school has remained dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable international education in Entebbe, empowering students to think critically, solve problems, and grow into confident global citizens.