New rules are being written for every custodian of Uganda's heritage.
The Museums and Monuments Act, 2023 is law. The draft Museums and Monuments Regulations, 2025 will set out how it applies to the people and institutions who own, manage and care for museums, monuments and the 303 sites declared under Statutory Instrument No. 69 of 2024. Here is what the draft could mean for you.
Regulations under section 95 are made by the Minister, on the Department's recommendation, by statutory instrument. They take effect once published in the Uganda Gazette. The window to shape them is before they are gazetted.
Ten ways the draft regulations affect custodians
A plain-language summary of the draft as circulated. Regulation numbers refer to the draft and may change before it is finalised.
- 01
You may need a licence to operate
Private and institutional museums would apply to the Commissioner for a licence, with proof of ownership or occupancy, evidence of minimum standards, a list of collections and their provenance, staff qualifications, a sustainability plan and a fee. Licences can be suspended or revoked.
Draft regs 15–20 - 02
Inspections, with or without your agreement
Inspectors would be able to inspect museums, monuments and protected areas. Refusing access or withholding information would be an offence carrying a fine or up to three months' imprisonment.
Draft regs 7–10 - 03
Approval before any repair or change
Restoring or altering a protected monument would need written approval from the Department, using compatible materials under qualified supervision. Unauthorised work could be reversed at your cost, and owners of historical buildings could be ordered to repair within a set time.
Draft regs 110, 133–134 - 04
Limits on how you use your site
Unless authorised, construction, signage or advertising, filming or photography, and public events would be prohibited in or around a protected area.
Draft reg 108 - 05
Public access and entry fees
The Department could impose entry fees, limit visitor numbers and designate public and restricted areas. Public access would have to be ensured, subject to religious and preservation restrictions.
Draft regs 109–110 - 06
A guardian could be appointed over your site
The Minister could appoint a guardian for a museum, monument or protected area: the National Museum, the person ordinarily responsible, or any other party the Minister considers suitable. A licensed museum could be placed under the Uganda Museum's guardianship in an emergency.
Draft regs 21, 31–32, 107 - 07
Professional collection standards
Museums would be expected to meet standards for accessioning, inventories, conservation, security and safety, and curatorial staffing, and to keep a register of collections.
Draft regs 18, 33–41 - 08
Antiquities belong to the State
All antiquities found in Uganda, on public or private land, would be State property. Anyone holding antiquities would have one month to give full particulars on request, and the Minister could prohibit their sale, gift, loan or removal. Dealing would require a licence.
Draft regs 100–105 - 09
Compulsory acquisition
Government could compulsorily acquire a protected area, object or heritage property, with at least 60 days' notice. Objections would go to an Independent Heritage Conservation Committee, with appeal to court within 30 days.
Draft regs 111–117 - 10
Duties for cultural institutions
Cultural institutions would carry specific duties to secure, conserve, document and respectfully handle royal regalia and cultural artefacts in their custody.
Draft regs 29–30
This summary is for information and is not legal advice. It does not reproduce the draft in full. Read the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023 and the list of protected sites.
One custodian is a letter. An association is a voice.
MMAU was formed in response to these draft regulations, so that custodians are consulted as they are written rather than after they become law. Government consults organised bodies; a submission backed by many sites carries more weight than one owner writing alone.
The draft also opens doors. It provides for Heritage Conservation Agreements between the Department and owners, technical support for community museums, and a civil society representative with heritage expertise on the Independent Heritage Conservation Committee. Custodians need an organised body to make the most of them.
- A seat at the tableMMAU seeks to partner with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities on the Rules and Regulations of the Act, as its Constitution commits it to.
- Collective submissionsMembers' concerns, gathered and put to Government in one coordinated response.
- Know your obligationsMembers are kept informed as the regulations develop and once they take effect.
- Help to complyStandards, training and shared professional services MMAU is building with its members.
- Fair frameworksAdvocacy for workable licensing, fees and fiscal incentives that keep sites financially viable.