Uagadou

• Type: Wizarding School
• Location: Mountains of the Moon, Uganda, Africa (Pottermore)
• Owner/Residents: Headmaster, staff, and students
• Key Features: Architectural structure carved out of a mountainside, often shrouded in mist. Students are noted for their proficiency in Wandless Magic and Self-Transfiguration. (Pottermore)

Uagadou is the largest of the eleven prestigious wizarding schools in the world and has been in operation for at least a thousand years. (Pottermore) It welcomes students from all over the vast continent of Africa. The school is a stunning edifice carved into the side of the Mountains of the Moon, a location often shrouded in mist, which gives it the appearance of floating in mid-air. (Pottermore) The school has earned a formidable international reputation, particularly for its students' skills in Astronomy, Alchemy, and Self-Transfiguration. A unique tradition at Uagadou is its method of notifying prospective students. Instead of acceptance letters, pupils are informed of their selection through Dream Messengers, which are sent by the reigning Headmaster or Headmistress. The student will awaken from a dream to find an inscribed stone in their hand, confirming their place at the school. (Pottermore) While the Wand is a European invention, and Uagadou's students are well-versed in its use, they are particularly adept at performing Wandless Magic, casting many spells simply by pointing a finger or through other hand gestures. This gives them a powerful and subtle command of Magic.

Uagadou is first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. When explaining the history and purpose of the Triwizard Tournament, Albus Dumbledore lists Uagadou as one of the other major wizarding schools, alongside Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute, to illustrate that Hogwarts is not the only magical institution in the world. The school is mentioned again in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. During a conversation overheard by Harry Potter at the Hog's Head, a wizard complains about the interference of the Ministry of Magic at Hogwarts. He states that the Headmaster of Uagadou had agreed with him that the International Confederation of Wizards should have been consulted before Dolores Umbridge was appointed as an inspector under Educational Decree Number Twenty-Seven. This reference underscores Uagadou's significant standing in the global wizarding community.

Specific areas within Uagadou, such as common rooms or classrooms, are not described in the original novels or supplementary materials.

• Most of the detailed information regarding Uagadou, including its precise location, student notification method, and curriculum specialities, comes from writings by J.K. Rowling published on the Pottermore website. (Pottermore)
• The name 'Uagadou' is a likely variant spelling of Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa.
• Uagadou is one of several schools confirmed to participate in the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship. (video game)