Uganda has officially launched celebrations to mark the 2026 International Museum Day, with authorities emphasizing the role of museums in promoting cultural heritage, unity, and sustainable development.
The commemorations, led by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, will culminate on May 18, the globally recognised date for the annual event. This year’s theme is “Museums as Bridges of Unity and Shared Heritage.”
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, State Minister for Tourism Martin Mugarra said the 2026 celebrations are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those promoting sustainable tourism, peace, justice, strong institutions, and partnerships.
Mugarra noted that Uganda has strengthened global partnerships with museums in Europe and Africa to support conservation and preservation of cultural heritage.
“Through these partnerships, Uganda has become one of the few countries that has returned many artifacts in a short period; from UK—Cambridge Museums of Archaeology and Anthropology, Kenya—Late John Wilson’s Karamojong Collection of the 1960s, and recently repatriated objects from the Netherlands that were owned by Mr. Cor Blok, who collected artefacts from 1965 to 1967 while working at Butabika Hospital as a psychiatrist, that we are also unveiling today to the public,” he said.
He added that Uganda is positioning itself globally through cultural diplomacy, using its heritage to foster mutual understanding and promote tourism.
“Museum spaces also offer learning, reflection and provide a platform where voices can be heard—hence promoting cooperation and peace among people,” Mugarra said.
The government has also prioritised the development of key historical sites to promote unity and reconciliation. These include the Barlonyo Memorial Museum, the Kabalega-Mwanga site, and Fort Patiko.
“The celebration of IMD therefore explains the important role of tourism development in driving economic growth by utilising museums as a springboard for innovation and harnessing cultural tourism for poverty reduction in our communities,” he added.
Month-long activities
According to Jackline Nyirachiza, Acting Commissioner for Museums and Monuments, the celebrations will feature a series of nationwide activities.
The programme will begin on May 5 with a public dialogue during the Third National Cultural Heritage Conference at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, under the theme “Urbanization Without Erasure: Architectural Heritage in Uganda’s Changing Urban Centres.”
A heritage marathon is scheduled for May 10, starting from Kitante Primary School, while heritage quiz competitions for primary and secondary schools will take place on May 14 and 15 at the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training College.
Additional activities will include heritage outreach programmes, exhibitions, and corporate social responsibility initiatives in Jinja on May 16 and 17.
The celebrations will culminate on May 18 with a procession from the Uganda Railway Museum to the Jinja Rugby Grounds, marking the climax of this year’s International Museum Day events.
"These initiatives are intended to encourage public participation in preserving Uganda’s heritage while promoting tourism and national identity,"Nyirachiza said.