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Uganda Museum

Museum

Kampala's oldest public museum, with ethnographic and natural-history collections. Tourists visit to see traditional crafts, cultural displays and archaeological artefacts; the museum offers guided visits and contextual exhibits.

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In this guide

Uganda Museum essentials

Address: Museums Hill, Kampala, Uganda (near Makerere University)
Website: museum.go.ug
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays (verify before visiting)
Admission: Adults usually ~UGX 2,000-5,000 / approximate USD equivalent for museum entry (check on-site for current rates)
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About Uganda Museum

The Uganda Museum is the national museum of Uganda located in Kampala and was founded in 1908. It is the country’s primary public institution for archaeology, ethnography and natural history.

Permanent displays cover ethnography, archaeology and aspects of natural history, with collections that include traditional material culture, stone tools and natural specimens. Temporary exhibitions and educational programmes are also part of the museum’s public offering.

The museum was established in the early 20th century and expanded its collections and public role through the 20th century as Uganda’s principal cultural institution. Its holdings reflect both archaeological research and ethnographic collecting from across the region.

The Uganda Museum sits in Kampala within the Central Region of Uganda, inside the built-up area of the capital city and accessible from central Kampala by road.

  • Founding date: Founded in 1908, making it one of the oldest museums in East Africa and the principal national museum of Uganda.

What to See#

  • Main galleries: Housing a permanent collection of ethnographic, archaeological and natural history objects with exhibits that cover Uganda’s peoples, material culture and prehistory.
  • Museum grounds: Outdoor grounds and historic structures that include traditional craft displays and exhibition space for larger objects and reconstructions.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Uganda Museum

Year-round access is reasonable; visit during dry months for easy transit and combined outdoor exploration.

Dry seasons (December-February, June-August)
Dec-Feb, Jun-Aug · 20-30°C
Pleasant daytime temperatures for city exploration.
Wet seasons (March-May, September-November)
Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 18-28°C
Afternoon rains common; indoor visits are easy at the museum.

Weather & Climate near Uganda Museum

Climate

Uganda Museum's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 15°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1371 mm/year), wettest in April.

Air Quality: AQI 163 Unhealthy
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryJulyDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 16° - 29° 23° 72 mm partly cloudy 66% 1.9 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h
February Very Good 17° - 29° 23° 67 mm overcast 65% 1.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
March Good 17° - 28° 22° 133 mm overcast 73% 2.0 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
April Good 17° - 27° 22° 185 mm overcast 81% 1.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
May Good 17° - 27° 22° 168 mm overcast 83% 1.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.0h
June Very Good 16° - 26° 21° 84 mm overcast 77% 1.6 m/s 1.9 very high 12.0h
July Very Good 15° - 26° 21° 71 mm partly cloudy 72% 1.6 m/s 1.8 very high 12.0h
August Very Good 15° - 26° 21° 92 mm overcast 72% 1.5 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.0h
September Very Good 16° - 27° 21° 120 mm overcast 73% 1.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
October Good 16° - 27° 22° 137 mm overcast 77% 1.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
November Good 17° - 27° 22° 149 mm overcast 78% 1.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h
December Very Good 16° - 27° 22° 93 mm partly cloudy 72% 1.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.0h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Uganda Museum

The Uganda Museum is on Museums Hill, a short drive east of central Kampala and adjacent to Makerere University. From Kampala’s central area, taxis and motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas) can reach the museum in 10-20 minutes depending on traffic; some city bus routes also serve the Makerere area.

Tips for Visiting Uganda Museum

  • Allow an hour to see the main galleries, especially the ethnographic and natural history sections.
  • Combine a visit with Makerere Hill and the nearby botanical gardens for a fuller day in Kampala's cultural quarter.
  • Verify opening hours on weekends - some galleries reduce hours or close for national holidays.