Uganda Museum set for facelift

AMBROSE GAHENE

The 110 years old Uganda Museum is set to undergo renovation and expansion, according to the minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi.

Kiwanda made the revelation on Friday, while officiating as chief guest at the International Museum Day celebrations, held at the Uganda Museum.

“Government has allocated funds for the renovation and expansion of this museum to international standards so as to attract more tourists because 10 per cent of revenues from tourism sector contribute to Uganda’s entire budget”, he pointed out.

Kiwanda further said old tiles in the museum will be replaced and a theatre, networking and laboratory building structures would be put in place.

This year’s International Museum Day ran under the theme: “Hyper connected museums: New approaches, new publics”.

The Assistant Commissioner for Museums, Samuel Kizalwa said Uganda currently boasts of other museums spread across the country, namely: Kabale, Soroti and Moroto districts.

“Museums are very essential in preserving our culture, history and heritage”, he said, adding that museums are non profit

making entity places where students and other people come to carry out research work on Uganda’s rich culture.

The International Museum Day was concluded by awarding the best performing primary schools pupils, for their participation in e-quiz essay competition.

Later, Kiwanda launched the museum website and news letter.