The government of Uganda has unveiled plans to construct regional museums to promote and preserve the country’s heritage and culture.
The Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Col Tom Butiime, announced that the ministry has embarked on developing museums and heritage sites to create more tourism products and ensure longer stays for tourists.
“Our target is for each inbound tourist to stay in the country for more than 14 days. The tourism ministry is currently constructing a museum in Moroto, for the Karamoja sub-region and adjacent districts,” said Butiime.
He emphasized the goal of conserving cultural heritage resources for sustainable cultural tourism development in Uganda for present and future generations. He made these remarks at the commemoration of International Museums Day held in Soroti City.
The event, held under the theme ‘Museums Shaping Knowledge for the Future,’ also marked the launch of the Soroti Regional Museum.
Butiime explained that this year’s celebrations lay the foundation for cities in Uganda to embrace the development of museums and cultural tourism attractions.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime, said the program already started with the Moroto Model Museum for the Karamoja region.
“The museum will showcase the diverse heritage of the sub-region. We have started construction; it’s quite an iconic structure. The Department of Museums and Monuments has been collecting information about the area,” she said.
Katusiime assured, “You asked about regional museums. I would like to assure you that there will be a museum in each individual region by the end of NDP IV. The Uganda Museum will also be renovated, expanded, and upgraded to international standards.”
Ag. Commissioner of Museums and Monuments, Jackline Nyiracyiza revealed that the government has secured some funds for the development of museums and cultural heritage sites in Uganda, which is in phase two.
“We are seeing an annual increment in reserves. Last year, for the first time in our history, we had Shs 8.5 billion towards museums and heritage sites development,” she said.
Nyiracyiza noted that the museum in Karamoja costs about Shs 4.2 billion and will be followed by the construction of an interpretation centre in Kangai, Dokolo District, under Kabalega and Mwanga.
“We shall construct a museum in Arua and another in Fort Portal. All these are in the feasibility study conducted. By 2030, each region should have a museum. With a bit more funding, we could construct at least one museum in each region per year,” she added.
She explained that due to limited funding, constructing regional museums takes time, often around two years. She cited the development of Mugaba Palace, which has taken five years due to limited resources.
The Chief Guest, Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda, underscored the critical role museums play in driving research and innovation, using history to inform and inspire the next generation.
“Museums are dynamic educational hubs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. This function blends seamlessly with the new Uganda secondary school curriculum, which emphasizes the role of museums as learning laboratories that stimulate critical thinking and a mindset that values our culture,” she said.
Alupo noted that museums and monuments promote and guide Public-Private Partnerships in conserving Uganda’s cultural and national heritage resources.
She revealed that the government is committed to partnering with the private sector to leverage the untapped tourism potential of iconic heritage sites.
“For instance, I encourage local communities to develop handcrafts unique to their clans or totems. These can be sold at these sites as a form of branding, especially if the products are indigenous to their location,” she added.
Alupo urged the youth, women, and men of Uganda to take advantage of the heritage sites in their regions to sell their products, highlighting Uganda’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.
On his part, Emorimor Paul Sande said the Soroti Regional Museum would serve as a learning and research centre on Teso’s heritage. He thanked the ministry for setting up the facility and called for more tourism development in the region.
The event was also attended by MPs from Teso region, Local government officials, and Directors from different MDA’s, among others.
