The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has officially adopted the revised Code of Ethics for Museums, updating the profession’s core standards for the first time in nearly two decades. The revised code, endorsed by ICOM’s membership in June 2026, reflects the evolving responsibilities of museums in a rapidly changing world.
The updated code places stronger emphasis on ethical collection stewardship, provenance and the responsible return of cultural objects, community engagement, transparency in museum governance, and the ethical use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in museums. It also affirms museums’ duty to serve the public good and to protect cultural and natural heritage for future generations.
Why this matters for Uganda
As Uganda’s national museums implement the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023 and expand public access through the museums.tourism.go.ug digital platform, the revised ICOM Code of Ethics offers a shared framework that guides professional practice across the Department of Museums and Monuments. It reinforces the principles that underpin our collections care, research, exhibition and community programmes.
ICOM’s revised code will serve as a reference for training, institutional policies and the ethical decisions that shape how Uganda’s heritage is preserved, interpreted and shared with the world.