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The national museum is set to be closed for renovation and remodelling at the end of May 2024, the tourism ministry has announced.

Jackline Besigye, the acting commissioner for museums and monuments in the ministry, says discussions for the renovation are ongoing although a date has not been decided.

“The renovations are still on. We hope by the end of May we might see a close of the museum. We haven’t given a date but procurement has been ongoing; we are yet to get the contractor and we sign the agreement. We shall inform the public on when the actual date of closure will be for renovation,” she said.

Besigye made the revelation during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on April 30.

In preparation for the World Museum and Monuments Day celebrations in 2022, the government committed to establishing regional museums and numerous monuments nationwide, with ongoing efforts reported by the commissioner.

(L-R) Lilly Ajarova C.E.O Uganda Tourism Board, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka State Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and Jackline Besigye Nyiracyiza, Commissioner Uganda Museums posing for a photo. Photo by Godiver Asege

As a result, in 2022 tourism minister Tom Butime unveiled plans for the ministry to designate various sites for submission to the national heritage protected sites list. Upon presidential approval of the Museums and Monuments Act, the sites will attain protected status.

Reopening of Kasubi tombs

Tourism state minister Martin Mugarra Bahinduka said the reopening of Kasubi tombs is heavily reliant on when the Buganda Kingdom will be ready.

According to Bahinduka, the tourism board did its part and is currently waiting on the Buganda kingdom in order to proceed with the reopening.

“We are working with the kingdom because we can’t open unless they are ready. It is a cultural institution whereby some rituals must be performed before some activities are conducted. Some of those things are soon to be done, I want to promise the public that we are in touch with the Buganda Kingdom, very soon we shall announce the reopening by the Ministry of Tourism and Buganda Kingdom,” Bahinduka said.

This year’s World Museums Day celebrations themed Museums Shaping Knowledge for the Future, are set to take place in Soroti on May 18.

The theme is derived from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) theme: Museums for Education and Research which focuses on the critical role museums play as educational institutions.