Kampala Music School (KMS) emerged from the scheme "Pianos for Uganda" which was launched in 1998. Over 60 donated pianos and an organ have been brought into Uganda and placed in schools, colleges, churches and practice centres, as well as numerous string, wind and brass instruments. Their availability for practice and lessons raised the standard of music so fast that opening a music school became the essential next step.

KMS was purpose built in an un-used semi-basement at the YMCA in the centre of Kampala and it was opened in March 2001 with Simon Yiga appointed Director. It has 7 practice/teaching rooms and a class room, each with a piano, which are in use all of everyday. A large collection of donated LP records, audio-cassettes, and CDs is available for listening, and a well-stocked library with a wide range of instrumental and vocal music and books is put to good use.

KMS teachers, mostly Ugandan, have nearly all been trained by and studied with Fiona Carr, piano and Ulrike Wilson, voice. The outreach from KMS is constantly expanding and KMS teachers are going into many Ugandan and international schools. Another significant KMS project is the training of members of a brass band of former street boys, giving them individual lessons and music theory.

The International ABRSM Diplomas have provided the incentive to advanced study here in Kampala and many of our students have been successful in Piano, Voice, Organ and Violin, as performers and teachers. The ABRSM examiner visits Kampala each June and the results are consistently well above the international average. A few of our students have gained full scholarships to study music at specialist music colleges in the U.K.

Administering the ABRSM exams, organizing concerts and functions, and internal administration all keep the KMS office buzzing. The school has become a socialization spot for musicians. KMS concerts and its staged opera performances, which include "Figaro", "The Bartered Bride" and "Fledermaus", have become popular well-attended events.

KMS is centrally located on the ground floor of the YMCA at Wandegeya, easily accessible by public transport with secure parking and the use of the YMCA canteen. The attractive purpose-built school has 7 soundproofed rooms for teaching and practice, a classroom and a library of sheet music and recordings. Each room has a piano, one has an organ, and a number of instruments are available for hire.

The music teaching programme is designed to cater for motivated students of all ages and backgrounds, from beginning to professional levels