Uganda to Mark International Museum Day 2025 in Kabale, Showcasing Kigezi’s Cultural Heritage

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has officially announced that Uganda will join the rest of the world in commemorating International Museum Day (IMD) 2025 on Sunday, 18th May 2025, under the global theme: “Preserving Heritage, Transforming Communities.”

The celebrations will be hosted in Kabale Municipality, Kigezi Sub-region in Southwestern Uganda.

Hon. Tom R. Butime (MP), the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, in a speech read to him by State Minister Martin Mugarra, confirmed the country’s participation in the global museum celebrations that aim to raise awareness about the vital role museums play in society.

“This year’s celebrations focus on how museums can contribute meaningfully to communities in an era of rapid change,” Hon. Butime stated. “We want to highlight museums not just as places of memory, but as active agents of development, inclusion, and cultural preservation.”

The Minister emphasised that the theme is in alignment with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and ties directly into Uganda’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly: SDG 8 — Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all and SDG 11 — Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Museums, he said, offer spaces for learning, cultural exchange, and dialogue, contributing to peace, mutual understanding, and development.

A Month-Long Calendar of Events

The Ministry has organised a diverse set of activities leading up to the main event in Kabale. From April 28th to May 4th, there will be a training program for tour guides in Kabale, conducted in partnership with the Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA), focusing on the rich cultural heritage of the Kigezi region.

On May 6th, a National Cultural Heritage Conference will be held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, under the theme “Culture as a Tool for Empowering Communities and Future Generations.” Between May 12th and 14th, the ICOM-Uganda Museum Fair will take place at Emin Pasha Hotel in Kampala, offering exhibitions and engagements around heritage and museum development.

On May 15th and 16th, heritage quiz competitions for primary and secondary schools in the Kigezi Sub-region will be held at Kabale University, aimed at encouraging youth participation in heritage knowledge. From May 16th to 19th, a familiarisation tour of the Kigezi region will be conducted, culminating in a vibrant Heritage Concert Night on May 18th at Kabale Municipal Stadium.

On the morning of May 16th, there will be a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity in Kabale Town, organised in collaboration with local government and partners.

The Sports Gala will take place on May 17th during the day at the Kabale University Playgrounds, bringing together communities for games and cultural exchange. In the evening of May 17th, participants will enjoy a traditional campfire and bull roasting experience, celebrating local traditions and culinary heritage.

Finally, the main celebration on May 18th will be held at Kabale Municipal Stadium and will be preceded by a colourful brass band parade starting from the Kabale Regional Museum.

“Explore Kigezi” campaign

Hon. Butiime noted that past IMD celebrations have been successfully held in Gulu City (2023) and Soroti City (2024), and the choice of Kabale for 2025 is aimed at spotlighting the rich cultural landscape of the Kigezi region.

On his part, Martin Mugarra, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, said the celebration aims to highlight the vital role of museums in promoting knowledge, culture, environment, and the arts.

Hon. Mugarra also announced a special tourism campaign, “Explore Kigezi,” to showcase the region’s rich attractions and cultural diversity during the celebrations.

“All of these core elements contribute immensely to boosting tourism in the country by popularising the Ugandan story – encompassing culture, traditions, lifestyle, economic dynamics and the wildlife component,” he noted.

He added: “Among the precursor activities are: cultural tours to both Regional and private museums, a cultural museums conference, CSR activities, Primary and Secondary school quizzes, debates and poetry competitions, sports gala, exhibitions, as well as Tour Guides training in Cultural Tourism Management.”