Uganda Marks International Museum Day with Renewed Call to Protect Heritage
Uganda joined the rest of the world on Monday to commemorate International Museum Day 2026 with renewed calls for heritage conservation, cultural unity, and stronger public appreciation of museums as centres of education, dialogue, and national identity.
The national celebrations were held at the Rugby Grounds in Jinja under the global theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World,” and Uganda’s national theme, “Museums as Bridges of Unity and Shared Heritage.”
The event attracted government officials, cultural leaders, museum professionals, tourism stakeholders, students, researchers, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the public in a celebration that highlighted the growing role of museums in preserving Uganda’s cultural and historical identity.
Speaking during the commemoration, Uganda’s Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime said museums have evolved beyond being mere storage spaces for historical objects and now serve as important centres for education, dialogue, innovation, reconciliation, and community engagement.
“In such a world, museums stand out as trusted institutions capable of fostering understanding and rebuilding social cohesion,” Butime said.
He noted that museums help preserve collective memory while creating spaces where communities can appreciate diversity as a source of strength rather than division.
The Minister said Uganda’s rich cultural diversity and historical heritage place the country in a strong position to use museums and heritage sites to promote peaceful coexistence, patriotism, and national unity.
He added that museums bridge generations by connecting young people with the wisdom and experiences of their ancestors, while also bridging communities, nations, and the gap between the past and the future.
Butime further emphasized that government views heritage conservation as a strategic investment in tourism development, peace building, social cohesion, and economic transformation under Uganda’s broader national development agenda.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime said this year’s theme reflects the realities of a world increasingly affected by conflict, misinformation, inequality, and cultural fragmentation.
She said museums are becoming more relevant as inclusive spaces where people can engage in dialogue, reflect on shared histories, and strengthen social cohesion.
“Museums remind us that despite our differences, humanity shares interconnected histories and collective aspirations,” Katusiime said.
The Permanent Secretary said government continues to strengthen museums and heritage institutions through conservation, research, exhibitions, educational programming, digital access, and partnerships with cultural institutions, universities, and development organizations.
She highlighted ongoing refurbishment works at the Uganda Museum, preservation efforts at the Mwanga-Kabalega heritage site, construction of the Karamoja Regional Museum, and restoration of the historic Mugaba Palace.
Katusiime also revealed that government has gazetted several historical and religious sites including Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Uganda National Theatre and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine to strengthen heritage protection across the country.
Commissioner for Museums and Monuments Dr. Jackline Nyiracyiza Besigye said Uganda has in recent years taken the celebrations to different regions to increase public awareness about heritage preservation and cultural tourism.
She explained that the choice of Jinja as the host city was deliberate because of its historical significance, industrial heritage, and cultural diversity.
“Jinja is one of the oldest cities in this country with unique heritage,” she said, noting that the city contains several historical buildings and sites linked to Uganda’s colonial and missionary history, including Fort Thurston and the legacy of Bishop Hannington.
Dr. Nyiracyiza said the Ministry has also been using heritage celebrations to engage city planners, architects, local governments, and communities on the need to protect historical buildings amid growing urbanization and infrastructure development.
She emphasized that even privately-owned heritage buildings should be preserved because of their cultural and historical importance to the country.
“We are coming together to make sure that we protect our past and shape the future,” she said.
This year’s celebrations featured exhibitions, storytelling sessions, public dialogues, youth innovation activities, heritage awareness campaigns, corporate social responsibility activities, cultural performances, and community engagements aimed at encouraging greater public participation in preserving Uganda’s cultural identity.
Officials also emphasized the growing contribution of museums and heritage sites to Uganda’s tourism industry, noting that cultural tourism continues to emerge as an important sector capable of generating jobs, supporting community livelihoods, and diversifying tourism beyond wildlife attractions.
International Museum Day is celebrated annually on May 18 following its establishment by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 to raise awareness about the role museums play in cultural exchange, peace building, education, and sustainable development.
On the occasion of this year’s commemoration, UNESCO joined museum professionals worldwide in recognizing museums as important spaces for dialogue, education, cultural continuity, and peace building.
In a message issued for International Museum Day 2026, ICOM President Antonio RodrĂguez described museums as vital agents for connection, understanding, and peace in an increasingly divided world.
“At a time when social, cultural, and geopolitical divisions increasingly impact societies, museums stand as spaces where differences are approached with respect rather than suspicion,” RodrĂguez said.
He added that museums provide opportunities for listening and learning while safeguarding the memories of communities that have often gone unheard.
RodrĂguez further noted that this year’s celebrations reinforce the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on reducing inequalities, peace and strong institutions, and partnerships for sustainable development.
He also highlighted examples of museums supporting peace building and resilience in conflict-affected communities around the world, saying museums continue to play an active role in promoting dialogue and healing even during difficult times.
The ICOM President noted that 2026 also marks the organization’s 80th anniversary, describing it as an opportunity for the global museum community to renew its commitment toward protecting cultural heritage and strengthening the social role of museums worldwide.
Uganda officially began commemorating International Museum Day nationally in 2010 and has since used the occasion to promote heritage awareness, museum education, cultural preservation, and appreciation for historical sites across the country.
