Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities on Tuesday launched the Third National Cultural Heritage Conference at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, with senior government officials issuing a strong call to safeguard the country’s historic buildings and urban landscapes amid accelerating modernisation.
Convened under the theme “Urbanisation without Erasure: Architectural Heritage in Uganda’s Changing Urban Centres,” the conference brought together urban planners, conservationists, traditional leaders, researchers, policymakers, and development partners to address the growing tension between urban growth and the preservation of cultural identity.
Officially opening the conference, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Bahinduka Martin Mugarra warned that Uganda risks losing not only its physical heritage but also valuable opportunities for tourism, education, and sustainable development if the trend of demolishing historic structures continues unchecked.
“Urban heritage is not merely a collection of old buildings or historic sites. It is a living system that comprises physical structures, spatial arrangements, cultural practices, and collective memory,” Hon Mugarra said.
The Minister called on Uganda to explore a “Heritage First” principle in urban redevelopment one that prioritises preservation alongside progress. He outlined a vision that includes heritage-sensitive planning, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, community-centred governance, and recognition of vernacular architecture as a climate-responsive design solution.
Pointing to Uganda’s alignment with the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape approach and UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), the Minister stressed that heritage conservation is a developmental imperative, not a luxury.
“The future of Uganda’s cities depends not only on what we build, but on what we choose to preserve. Let us build cities that tell our stories but not erase them,” he concluded.
Speaking before the Minister’s address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Doreen S. Katusiime set the policy context for the conference, underscoring that heritage protection is central to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).
The Katusiime noted that the conference is held annually in commemoration of African World Heritage and as a precursor to International Museum Day on 18th May. She highlighted the Museums and Monuments Act, Cap 149, as the legal backbone for protecting Uganda’s heritage assets, and announced that the Ministry is finalising regulations for the implementation of Historic Buildings provisions under the Act.
She also cited recent government investments in heritage infrastructure, including the refurbishment of Mugabe Palace, launched on 28th March 2026 and the ongoing restoration of the National Museum. The Karamoja Regional Museum in Moroto and the Mwanga-Kabalega site in Kangai, Dokolo, were also highlighted as near-completion projects.
Katusiime also confirmed that the Ministry has already gazetted several historic buildings, including the Parliament of Uganda, the National Theatre, the Uganda Museum building, Namirembe Church, Rubaga Cathedral, and Namugongo Martyrs Shrines.
“Heritage is not a barrier to progress it is an asset that, if properly managed, can enrich our cities, strengthen our communities, and enhance our global identity,” She said, echoing a theme that resonated throughout the morning’s proceedings.
Both officials were united in their message that the challenge of urban heritage preservation cannot be left to the government alone. The conference is designed to generate concrete policy recommendations, strengthen institutional networks, and forge partnerships across sectors.
Expected outcomes include a national statement on the significance of urban architectural heritage, policy recommendations for integrating heritage into planning frameworks, and contributions toward a long-term national agenda on built heritage conservation.
From Kampala to Gulu, Jinja to Fort Portal, Uganda’s urban landscapes reflect layered histories colonial, pre-colonial, and contemporary interwoven with indigenous knowledge. Officials argue these must be protected not as relics, but as living contributors to national identity and economic development.