The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has confirmed that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will preside over this year’s International Museum Day (IMD) celebrations on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Kabale District.
According to an official press release, President Museveni will grace the event as the Chief Guest, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to promoting cultural heritage and advancing tourism development in Uganda.
The celebrations will take place at Kabale Stadium in Kabale Municipality under the theme: “Preserving Heritage, Transforming Communities”, adapted from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) global theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.”
The Ministry stated that the theme aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly:
- SDG 8: Museums support local economies by creating jobs and offering educational programs that empower communities;
- SDG 9: By fostering creativity and integrating technology, museums drive innovation and improve accessibility;
- SDG 11: Museums contribute to sustainable urban development by serving as inclusive cultural hubs that promote resilience and heritage preservation.
This year’s IMD celebrations aim to create a platform for museums, regional tourism clusters and other heritage stakeholders to reimagine tourism and heritage as tools for social and economic transformation.
The Ministry emphasized that the event highlights the urgent need to protect Uganda’s cultural heritage, in line with the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023 (Cap 149), which seeks to strengthen the conservation, preservation, and promotion of cultural resources to support national development.
“The celebrations also present an opportunity to mobilize Ugandans to embrace museums as catalysts for innovation and drivers of cultural tourism, with the potential to reduce poverty in our communities,” the Ministry noted in the statement.
Uganda marks International Museum Day annually on May 18, joining the global community in raising awareness about the value and significance of cultural heritage and museums.
The revised definition of a museum under the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023, as inspired by ICOM, recognizes it as “a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets, and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage.”
Today, museums are evolving into dynamic educational and cultural centers that stimulate curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage critical thinking. They play a pivotal role in preserving cultural values, promoting social cohesion, facilitating cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable cultural tourism.
Moreover, museums contribute to scientific research and innovation through exhibitions, educational initiatives, and community outreach programs, solidifying their role as essential institutions for societal development.
