UGANDA TURNS TO MUSEUMS AS ENGINES OF UNITY, TOURISM GROWTH AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY 2026

Speaking at the official launch at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala, the Minister of State for Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka

Uganda has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the 2026 International Museum Day (IMD) celebrations, positioning museums not merely as custodians of history but as powerful instruments for national unity, economic transformation and global cultural diplomacy.

Speaking at the official launch at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala, the Minister of State for Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka announced that this year’s national celebrations will take place in Jinja City on May 18th, 2026, under the global theme “Museums: Uniting a Divided World” and the national theme “Museums as Bridges of Unity and Shared Heritage.”

The message was clear: in a world increasingly marked by division, Uganda sees museums as places where reconciliation, dialogue and shared identity can flourish.

The Ministry emphasized that the 2026 celebrations are aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly promoting sustainable tourism, peaceful societies and partnerships for development. This reflects a growing recognition that heritage preservation is no longer a cultural afterthought but a strategic development tool.

Commissioner for Museums and Monuments at the Ministry of Tourism Dr. Jackline Nyirachiza Besigye

In one of the most significant highlights, the Commissioner for Museums and Monuments at the ministry of tourism Dr. Jackline Nyirachiza Besigye  revealed Uganda’s recent success in the repatriation of cultural artifacts from abroad. These include objects returned from the United Kingdom, Kenya and the Netherlands, making Uganda one of the few African countries to secure multiple returns of heritage collections within a relatively short period.

Among the items recently recovered are artifacts collected in the 1960s and others taken while foreign researchers worked in Uganda decades ago. One of the 43 repatriated pieces was officially unveiled during the launch, with the rest expected to be showcased during the Jinja celebrations.

Commissioner Nyirachiza noted that research will now be undertaken to identify the communities of origin of the returned artifacts, an important step in restoring historical justice and reconnecting communities with their heritage.

Beyond artifact recovery, Uganda is also investing in heritage sites as spaces for healing and peacebuilding. Key locations such as Barlonyo Memorial Museum in Lira, Kabalega-Mwanga Site in Dokolo and Fort Patiko in Gulu are being developed to promote remembrance, reconciliation and domestic tourism.

The economic case for museums was equally underscored. Tourism generated USD 1.3 billion in 2024, equivalent to UGX 5 trillion, while supporting over 800,000 jobs. Officials say cultural tourism, driven by museums and heritage sites, can play a major role in poverty reduction and local enterprise growth.

A packed calendar of activities will lead up to the main event, including a national heritage conference on 5th May, a heritage marathon on 10th May, school quiz competitions and exhibitions on 15th May, outreach programs on 17th May and the d day Celebrations on 18th may 2026.

With this year’s celebrations, Uganda is making a bold statement: museums are no longer silent buildings of the past, they are active bridges to peace, pride and prosperity.

GALLERY