Merryland (the “Company” or “MHS”) is the owner of Merryland High Schools, two large boarding school campuses in Entebbe, Uganda. The first campus was established in 2001 (Kigungu) and the second was partially constructed in 2013 (Katabi). The company aims to provide quality secondary education to families in Uganda and the broader East African region. Merryland has a strong academic reputation and, as 100% of the students are boarders, it fills a niche which is in high demand. The first campus houses 3000 male and female learners ranging from age 12 to 19, while the second campus currently houses 580 learners, overall at a 52% male and 48% female proportion. The final student number at the new campus, Katabi, once complete, will be 1500. The intention is to also increase the number at Kigungu by an additional 100.
The facilities at each school are designed in a simple Ugandan style, taking the hot weather and basic needs into account. The buildings consist of masonry foundations and walls, cement floors, with roofs and interior walls supported by timber and constructed from galvanised corrugated iron sheets. There are no ceilings, and there is a gap between the eaves and the walls to aid ventilation by passive air flow. Windows are metal framed with glass and are devoid of burglar proofing as they serve to provide natural light as well as being possible fire or emergency escapes. All school buildings are designed and managed by a Ugandan engineering company, and are overseen by Merryland’s Director and shareholders. The school follows the National Curriculum Development Centre and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) curriculum.
Merryland School is work for a $3.5 million investment. The loan will be used to complete the building of the second campus, “Katabi” (together referred to as the “Project”).
