UGANDA NATIONAL MUSEUM

From the National Museums and Monuments Policy, 2015:
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The Uganda Museum was first established in 1908 in the Greek Temple building within the former Captain Fredrick Lugard’s Fort, Old Kampala, after the Protectorate Headquarters were shifted from Entebbe to Kampala.

In the 1930s Margaret Trowel and K.P Wachsmann at Makerere University College made further collections of ethnographic and musical objects throughout the Protectorate. Margaret Trowel, Head of the School of Fine Art at Makerere University College, transferred the Uganda Museum to the School of Fine Art in 1942.

By the Order of Council, an Ordinance of 1943 was promulgated making the Uganda Museum a Semi-Autonomous Body with a Board of Trustees. Through the efforts of Margaret Trowel and K.P Wachsmann together with members of the Uganda Society, funds were raised for construction of a permanent home at Kira Road in 1952, completed in 1953. The Uganda Museum was transferred from Old Kampala to Kira Road in 1954.

Because of the predominance of ritualistic objects, the new Museum was referred to as “Enyumba y’Amayembe” (the House of Fetishes), which helped it survive the lootings and destruction during the turbulent periods of 1971, 1979 and 1986.

The new Museum consisted of galleries for Ethnography, General History, Archaeology, Natural History, Musical Instruments, Stone Age, and Temporary Exhibition. Through funds raised by the Uganda Society and a grant from the Ford Foundation, the Education, Science and Industry wings were added in 1962 to coincide with Uganda’s independence.

Through the efforts of Margaret Trowell, K.P Wachsmann, Capt. Charles Pitman, Professor Merrick Posnansky, Roland Oliver, H.B Thomas, Kenneth Ingham and E.C. Lanning, the Uganda Museum became renowned throughout Eastern and Central Africa for its extensive research collections.

By Decree No. 12 of 1977, government abolished the board of trustees and amalgamated the Uganda Museum with the Inspectorate of Monuments to form a Department of Antiquities and Museums.

The Uganda Museum has over the years engaged in research, education and other activities that have socio-cultural and economic implications, contributing to the development of various communities in the country.

From the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023:
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Section 13: The Uganda Museum existing immediately before the coming into force of this Act shall continue in existence, subject to this Act. The Uganda Museum shall be the national museum of Uganda. The Department shall be responsible for the management of the Uganda Museum.

The Uganda Museum shall:
(a) serve as a national repository for objects, artefacts, art works or specimens of scientific, palaeontological, ethnographical, archaeological, historical and technological of cultural and natural heritage;
(b) serve as a place where research and dissemination of knowledge in all fields of scientific, technological and historical interest may be undertaken;
(c) present the cultural and natural heritage of Uganda for educational and entertainment purposes;
(d) preserve and treat objects selected for display in the museum for public viewing and enjoyment;
(e) any other functions incidental to museums.

The Uganda Museum may acquire by way of gift or purchase, or accept by way of loan or deposit, any object of scientific, cultural, technological, historical or human interest; and exchange or otherwise dispose of objects not required and lend objects vested in the Uganda Museum to any person or institution within or outside Uganda.

All valuable or portable objects discovered in the course of excavation shall be deposited in the Uganda Museum. Researchers must cause all collected and excavated objects or materials to be conserved, preserved and stored in the Uganda Museum.

Annual visitor numbers at the National Museum have increased from 34% in 2007 to 39% as of the policy date.

SOURCES:
– The Museums and Monuments Act, 2023 (Section 13)
– National Museums and Monuments Policy, 2015 (Section 1.3)