Uganda to celebrate International Museum Day 2025 in Kabale
Uganda will participate in the global celebration of International Museums Day (IMD) 2025 on May 18.
The event, to be organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, will take place in Kabale Municipality, located in the Kigezi Sub Region of South Western Uganda.
The theme for this year is ‘Preserving Heritage, Transforming Communities,’ which aligns with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) theme: ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.’
Since 1977, museums worldwide have engaged in this celebration to highlight their significance by offering enjoyable and free activities that reflect the annual theme.
The State Minister for Tourism, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, emphasized that museums serve as platforms for cultural exchange, enriching cultures, and fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people.
During a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) in Nakasero, a suburb of Kampala, on April 15, 2025, he noted that the day aims to enhance awareness of the vital role museums play in disseminating knowledge about history, culture, environment, and the arts.
Bahinduka stressed that this year’s theme resonates with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: as Museums support local economies by creating employment opportunities and offering educational programs that empower communities and SDG 11: where Museums contribute to sustainable urban development by acting as cultural hubs that promote inclusion, resilience, and heritage preservation.
The day also focuses on how museums can navigate and contribute to a world undergoing profound social, technological, and environmental shifts, noting that the day pushes for a more conscious, sustainable and inclusive world.
The previous days were celebrated in Gulu City, 2023 and Soroti City, 2024.
The ministry planned for a diverse range of activities aimed at promoting cultural awareness, heritage preservation, and forward-thinking innovation.
Below are the activities
- From April 28-May 4, 2025; Uganda Safari Guides Association training on “Basic Cultural heritage in Kigezi region for Tour Guides” in Kabale Town
- May 5, 2025; a National Cultural Heritage Conference at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The focus of the conference is on “Culture as a tool for Empowering Communities and Future Generations.”
- May 12th – 14th; Museum Fair by ICOM-Uganda at Emin Pasha Hotel, Kampala.
- May 15th – 16th; the school’s heritage quiz, competitions for primary and secondary schools in Kigezi sub region at Kabale University.
- May 16th – 19th; Explore Kigezi aimed at promoting the key tourism sites in Kigezi region. this will also include a Heritage Concert Night on 18th May, 2025 at Kabale Municipal Stadium. This will have key influencer including Fik Fameica, Ntante, Golora Moses among others.
- May 16th (Morning), Corporate Social Responsibility with the Local government and partners in Kabale Town.
- May 17th, Cultural sports gala at Kabale University Play Grounds.
- May 17th; (Evening), Camp fire and bull roasting.
- May 18th; the Main Celebration Day at Kabale Stadium. This will be preceded by a brass band from Kabale Regional Museum Kabale Stadium.
Bahinduka said the celebration not only commemorates the importance of museums as repositories of knowledge but also serves as a platform for fostering curiosity, critical thinking and dialogue; understanding, and appreciation among communities.
“Let us come together to celebrate the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage and the transformative power of museums in shaping a brighter future for our nation,” he added.
Promoting domestic tourism
The Ministry has launched a targeted campaign aimed at promotion of domestic tourism and popularizing the recently unveiled national brand “Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa” with the most recent being the Explore Busoga.
This, the minister said is in an effort to shine a spotlight on our attractions in the various regions.
In the same vein the Ministry will be organizing a campaign dubbed “Explore Kigezi” in which the main tourist attractions in the region will be visited.
The main objective of the campaign is to create awareness about the main and potential tourist attractions in Kigezi.
The specific objectives are:
- To position Kigezi region as a destination of choice for domestic tourists.
- To leverage user generated content for promoting domestic travel for the Kigezi region tourism sites.
- To promote the National brand of Explore Uganda the Pearl of Africa to the domestic market specifically in Kigezi region.
