URBANISATION WITHOUT ERASURE: UGANDA CHARTS NEW PATH FOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION
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Uganda has sounded a fresh warning over the silent disappearance of its architectural heritage, as policymakers, conservationists, legal scholars and urban planners gathered in Kampala for the Third National Cultural Heritage Conference to confront the growing impact of rapid urbanisation on the country’s historic identity.
Held at Fairway Hotel under the theme “Urbanisation without Erasure: Architectural Heritage in Uganda’s Changing Urban Centres,” the conference convened stakeholders from across government, academia, traditional institutions and the conservation sector to examine how Uganda can modernise its cities without sacrificing the cultural landmarks and urban memories that define them.
The conference, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, comes at a time when several historic buildings across Uganda are facing pressure from commercial redevelopment, changing land values and weak enforcement of heritage protection laws.
Opening the conference, the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Bahinduka Martin Mugarra, warned that the continued demolition and neglect of heritage sites threatens not only Uganda’s history, but also its future tourism competitiveness and cultural identity.
“Urban heritage is not merely a collection of old buildings or historic sites. It is a living system that comprises physical structures, spatial arrangements, cultural practices and collective memory,” Mugarra said.
He urged government institutions, private developers and local authorities to adopt a “Heritage First” approach to urban redevelopment, arguing that preservation and progress must coexist rather than compete.
“The future of Uganda’s cities depends not only on what we build, but on what we choose to preserve. Let us build cities that tell our stories, not erase them,” he added.
The Minister further linked heritage conservation to sustainable development, noting that Uganda’s efforts align with UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape framework and Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Doreen S. Katusiime, described heritage preservation as a key pillar within Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
She noted that the annual conference, held in commemoration of African World Heritage Day and ahead of International Museum Day on May 18, serves as a national platform for strengthening policy dialogue around conservation and cultural identity.
Katusiime revealed that government is finalising regulations under the Museums and Monuments Act, Cap 149, particularly provisions relating to historic buildings, to strengthen protection mechanisms for Uganda’s built heritage.
She highlighted ongoing heritage investments by government, including the refurbishment of Mengo’s Mugabe Palace, the restoration of the Uganda Museum, the near-complete Karamoja Regional Museum in Moroto, and the redevelopment of the Mwanga-Kabalega historic site in Kangai, Dokolo.
The Permanent Secretary also confirmed that several national landmarks have already been gazetted as protected heritage sites, among them Parliament of Uganda, the Uganda National Theatre, Namirembe Cathedral, Rubaga Cathedral, Uganda Museum and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrines.
“Heritage is not a barrier to progress; it is an asset that, if properly managed, can enrich our cities, strengthen our communities and enhance our global identity,” Katusiime said.
Delivering the keynote address, property law expert Dr. C.K. Kakooza challenged Uganda to rethink land ownership and urban development through a heritage-sensitive legal lens, warning that unregulated commercial expansion risks permanently altering the nation’s historical character.
“Cities are more than economic spaces; they are repositories of memory, identity and belonging. Once heritage is erased through careless redevelopment, it cannot be recreated,” Dr. Kakooza said.
He called for stronger enforcement of conservation laws, heritage-sensitive land governance, and greater public awareness around the legal value of historic buildings.
“Protecting architectural heritage is not anti-development. In fact, the most globally admired cities are those that have successfully integrated preservation into modern growth,” he added.
The Commissioner for Tourism Development also stressed the growing economic significance of heritage conservation, particularly within cultural tourism and creative economies.
“Heritage conservation is increasingly becoming an economic conversation. Preserved historic spaces attract tourism investment, stimulate cultural enterprises and create opportunities for community livelihoods,” the Commissioner said.
The Commissioner further noted that Uganda’s architectural heritage provides a unique competitive advantage in destination branding, especially as global travellers increasingly seek authentic cultural experiences.
“Our built heritage gives Uganda authenticity. These are the spaces that carry our stories, shape our identity and distinguish our tourism product from the rest of the world,” the Commissioner added.
Throughout the conference, participants emphasised that heritage preservation must move beyond symbolism into practical urban planning frameworks, especially as towns and cities continue to expand at unprecedented rates.
Expected outcomes from the conference include policy recommendations on integrating heritage into urban planning systems, a national position statement on architectural heritage conservation, and strengthened collaboration between government agencies, cultural institutions and development partners.
From Kampala’s colonial-era buildings to indigenous architectural traditions in Fort Portal, Gulu and Jinja, delegates agreed that Uganda’s urban heritage must be protected not as static relics of the past, but as living assets capable of driving tourism, education, community pride and sustainable development in the future
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