Uganda is intensifying efforts to safeguard its cultural heritage and recover historical artifacts as preparations get underway for the 2026 International Museums Day celebrations.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, announced that this year’s national celebrations will be held in Jinja on May 18. The event will be marked under the theme “Museums as Bridges of Unity and Shared Heritage,” aligning with the global message of using museums to foster cohesion in an increasingly divided world.
Mugarra emphasized that government is repositioning museums beyond traditional storage spaces for artifacts, describing them instead as dynamic institutions for education, dialogue, cultural preservation, and national unity. He added that cultural heritage is playing a growing role in driving tourism, creating employment, and supporting livelihoods at community level.
He also highlighted notable progress in the recovery of Uganda’s cultural property, including dozens of artifacts returned from Europe and thousands more repatriated from Kenya. Another set of 43 artifacts that were taken to the Netherlands in the 1960s is expected to be unveiled soon, reflecting strengthened international cooperation in heritage restitution.
Tourism continues to be one of Uganda’s leading economic sectors, contributing an estimated $1.7 billion to GDP and supporting over 860,000 jobs. Officials say increased investment in museums and heritage sites is expected to further boost cultural tourism and expand economic opportunities, especially for local communities.
The Acting Commissioner for Museums and Monuments, Jackline Nyiracyiza Besigye, revealed that government is finalizing new regulations under the Museums and Monuments Act aimed at strengthening the protection of historical buildings, cultural sites, and national collections.
She also announced plans to introduce licensing for private and community museums, a move intended to improve coordination, raise preservation standards, and enhance data management across the sector.
“We want to work closely with private and community museums to promote heritage collectively and ensure their contribution to tourism is fully recognized,” she said.
Besigye further noted that Uganda will commemorate Africa World Heritage Day on May 5 with a conference themed “Urbanization without Erasure,” focusing on balancing rapid urban growth with the preservation of cultural and architectural heritage.
Meanwhile, renovation works at the Uganda Museum are ongoing, with authorities promising a more modern and interactive experience upon reopening. The museum previously recorded increased visitor numbers before its closure for upgrades.
Government has urged Ugandans to actively participate in preserving cultural identity, warning that modernization and shifting social trends continue to pose risks to traditional heritage.
The 2026 International Museums Day celebrations are expected to bring together government agencies, cultural institutions, and development partners to highlight the role of museums in promoting unity, cultural pride, and sustainable development.
