Traditional Medicine Mobile Museum Launched in Uganda

On 27 February 2026, Uganda marked a significant milestone in cultural heritage and health knowledge preservation with the launch of the Traditional Medicine Mobile Museum at the Uganda Museum in Kampala. The initiative aims to document, safeguard, and promote the sustainable use of plant-based traditional medicine while strengthening the link between ancestral healing practices and modern scientific knowledge.

The event was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, who commended the collaborative effort behind the project and recognized the vital role of traditional medicine in Uganda’s cultural and health systems.

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A Project Bridging Tradition and Science

The Traditional Medicine Mobile Museum is part of the Traditional Medicine in Transition (TMT) project, an interdisciplinary initiative designed to bridge traditional healing knowledge with modern research and education.

The project focuses on using museums as platforms for safe and effective knowledge transfer. Through traveling exhibitions, the mobile museum will bring educational materials and demonstrations directly to communities and schools across Uganda.

Interactive exhibitions will feature:

• Medicinal plant displays
• Audio-visual learning materials
• QR codes for digital learning
• Educational interpretation of traditional healing practices

The initiative responds to growing recognition of traditional medicine as an effective resource for treating tropical diseases. Interest in plant-based remedies increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing the need to preserve and share indigenous knowledge responsibly.

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International and Local Collaboration

The project represents a strong partnership between research institutions and cultural organizations, including:

• The Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich, Switzerland
• Makerere University, Kampala
• Igongo Cultural Institute, Mbarara
• PROMETRA Uganda, Mpigi
• MAMITA Technical Institute, Mbarara
• Uganda National Museum (Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities)

Research activities were funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation under the SOR4D programme, demonstrating international confidence in Uganda’s indigenous knowledge systems. Additional support for exhibitions and public engagement was provided by the Lotteriefonds Kanton Zürich.

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Key Voices at the Launch

Academic Leadership

Ms Caroline Weckerle, Senior Research Officer and ethnobotanist at the University of Zurich, leads the research project exploring the role of museums as agents for safe knowledge transfer. Her work focuses on documenting plant-based traditional medicine and ensuring that this knowledge is preserved for future generations.

Mr Thomas Laely, a collaborator from Switzerland who attended the launch at Igongo Cultural Centre and Country Hotel, emphasized the global importance of traditional medicine and the need to pass ancestral healing knowledge to younger generations.

Research Contributions

Dr Anwar Godwin, a researcher from Makerere University, described the launch as more than an exhibition unveiling. He highlighted the academic value of traditional medicine research and acknowledged the many contributors who supported the initiative.

He paid special tribute to local traditional healers whose knowledge has been passed down through generations and forms the foundation of the project.

Museums as Knowledge Centres

According to the Acting Commissioner for Monuments and Museums, museums play a critical role in preserving and disseminating knowledge while conserving cultural heritage.

The concept for the mobile museum dates back to 2015 when a visitor from Zurich engaged museum curators in discussions about preserving traditional medicine knowledge. Those early conversations eventually evolved into the Traditional Medicine in Transition project.

The mobile museum will be hosted by the Igongo Cultural Institute, which will coordinate its movement to different regions in order to reach wider audiences.

Preserving Indigenous Knowledge for Future Generations

In his remarks, Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka praised all partners and funders for supporting the initiative and reaffirmed government commitment to preserving indigenous knowledge systems.

The Traditional Medicine Mobile Museum represents a forward-looking approach to heritage conservation, combining scientific research with community-based knowledge. By taking exhibitions directly to the people, the project ensures that traditional medicine remains a living and accessible resource rather than a forgotten practice.

The initiative stands as an important step toward safeguarding Uganda’s traditional healing knowledge while promoting responsible and sustainable use of medicinal plants for future generations.

View the Photos HERE and VIDEO highlights