The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, has said that the purpose of International Museum Day is to highlight the importance of museums as dynamic educational institutions that promote learning, discovery, and cultural understanding.

Bahinduka made these remarks on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Center (UMC) to enlighten the public on the forthcoming International Museum Day 2024.

According to Bahinduka, celebrating the day also serves as a rally call to raise awareness about the museums’ role in shaping the future.

“It also serves as a rallying call to raise awareness about the transformative power of museums in shaping the future trajectory of our nation,” Bahinduka said.

Additionally, he stated that as they head to the main event, they have organized a series of activities, including the National Cultural Heritage Conference at Hotel Africana and the community and schools’ outreaches by the Uganda Museum to the primary schools in the Bukedea, Kumi, Soroti, Ngora, and Serere districts.

Other activities include a school heritage quiz, competitions for primary and secondary schools in the Teso sub-region, and corporate social responsibility with the local government and partners in Soroti City.

Bahinduka explained that this year’s celebration will take place in Soroti city on May 18, 2024, with the theme “Museums shaping knowledge for the future,” which is based on the International Council of Museums’ (ICOM) international theme “Museums for Education and Research.”

He urged the public to participate in the celebration day, emphasizing the importance of museums in cultural exchange, cultural enrichment, and the development of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people.