Uganda Museum

The Uganda Museum was founded in 1908, which makes it the oldest museum in East Africa, and it moved to its present building on Kira Road in 1954. Its strongest holding is the ethnographic collection, covering the material culture of Uganda's many peoples, and the traditional musical instruments section, where visitors are allowed to play some of them. Archaeology, palaeontology and a natural history section fill out the galleries, with traditional houses in the grounds.

The main sights

• The instrument collection - traditional instruments, some of which can be played.
• The ethnographic galleries - material culture from across the country's peoples.
• The traditional houses - dwellings from different regions reconstructed in the grounds.
• The 1908 founding - the oldest museum in East Africa.

When to go

Year round; it closes on some public holidays. Mornings are quietest. School groups fill it during term time.

Practical notes

Displays are dated and much of the labelling has not been updated in decades. The building has been under threat of demolition and redevelopment for years. Some galleries are closed.

Nearby

Ndere Cultural Centre is northeast, and Namirembe Cathedral is southwest.

Key facts