The Executive Director of Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda Barbra Babweteera, has called for the preservation of Community Museums for the importance museums play in education, culture, and peace building.
Speaking during xxfu 20th anniversary celebrations in Kampala under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” she encouraged museum owners to rethink how they connect with people and adapt to today’s fast-changing world.
According to Barbra community museums are important spaces where people learn about their culture and history, and they also address modern issues like climate change, gender equality, and education however many of these museums face big challenges citing lack of funding, staff training, and public awareness.
“Many struggle with outdated tools and limited access to technology. Without support, they risk being left behind,”she stated.
Barbra further noted that while community museums demonstrate communities’ efforts and resilience in the safeguarding of heritage, they continue to face several challenges such as limited visibility, lack of government support, limited coordination and networking and limited professional competences.
“Community museums Uniting a Divided Country” reminds us that our cultural spaces are more than just houses for the past; they are essential bridges for intercultural dialogue, peace and reconciliation in our communities,”she added.
“At CCFU, we believe culture is a fundamental engine for development, especially through cultural tourism and the growth of cultural enterprises that empower local families. To truly safeguard our heritage, it cannot be a solo effort; I call upon all stakeholders—from government to the private sector—to join hands with us in supporting these community initiatives that foster a sense of national identity and collective transformation.”she stated.
Representing the community museums, Mr. Abraham Kitaulwa of the Kigulu Cultural Museum Community museums are the frontline guardians of our cultural heritage, ensuring that our local traditions and knowledge are not lost to time,
“Through the technical and financial support from CCFU, we have moved beyond simple collection to realizing how culture can be practically incorporated into development aspects. This support has empowered us to see our museums as centers of education and economic potential rather than just relics of the past”.Kitaulwa said.
Ms. Lilly Ajarova, the Senior Presidential advisor on Tourism underscored the role of culture in promoting national unity and character.
“Culture is more than just artifacts and performances; it is the fabric of our social cohesion. It provides the values and the moral framework that build a disciplined and respectful society. Our traditions teach us “Ubuntu”, the interconnectedness of our humanity and provide the ethical guardrails that guide our youth. By strengthening our cultural roots, we are essentially strengthening the character of our nation”.she stressed.
She further mobilized different stakeholders to support community museums important cultural tourism hubs.
“Today, I wish to call upon all stakeholders, government, the private sector, media and civil society: to integrate cultural safeguarding into our national development agendas; invest in cultural innovations and community-led tourism; and to provide platforms and spaces for engaging young people in cultural heritage safeguarding efforts; and write positively about our cultural heritage”she explained.
The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) plays a pivotal role in culture and heritage education by integrating living heritage into Uganda’s formal and non-formal educational systems. Their primary goal is to ensure youth recognize cultural heritage as a vital resource for national identity, social cohesion, and sustainable human development.
CCFU has worked with universities and institutions to integrate intangible cultural heritage into formal academic studies, advocating for specific bachelor’s degree courses on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development
Through Heritage Education Programme CCFU has connected secondary schools with local community museums to facilitate the teaching of traditional values, indigenous knowledge, and cultural diversity.
