Focus areas

Five objective areas for a protected, professional and viable heritage sector.

The objectives below are drawn from Article 3.3 of the MMAU Constitution. They describe what the Association works towards on behalf of its members.

Policy, advocacy & regulatory compliance

A voice in the regulations

MMAU seeks to serve as the primary consultative body for Government in developing the Rules and Regulations of the Museums and Monuments Act, ensuring they prioritise the sustainability and interests of the sites and custodians gazetted under Statutory Instrument No. 69 of 2024.

Recognition as the Single Point of Contact for MTWA on private heritage matters
Fiscal incentives, including tax exemptions and rebates for listed sites
Identifying additional sites for protection and UNESCO nomination
An Annual State of Heritage Forum for Ministry, private sector and civil society

Capacity building & technical support

Professionalising the sector

MMAU aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of custodians, training members to meet the statutory competencies required to be appointed as Guardians of protected areas and monuments.

A Shared Professional Services Pool of curators and conservators
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes
A Competency-Based Certification Framework
Support with Sustainability Plans and Heritage Impact Assessments

Operational & financial sustainability

Building the heritage economy

MMAU works to facilitate partnerships and secure access to grants, training and technical support — and to establish financial vehicles that give members access to capital.

Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) or Trust Funds
Access to the Creative Uganda Revolving Fund
A Legal Defense Fund for strategic, sector-wide cases
Collective bargaining schemes for insurance and procurement

Heritage protection & standards

Safeguarding what matters

MMAU aims to collaborate with MTWA on standards for the classification, grading and accreditation of private museums and heritage sites.

A national Quality Assurance and Accreditation System and Seal of Approval
Restitution and repatriation of illicitly trafficked cultural property
Disaster Risk Management Plans for members
A Register of Accredited Heritage Contractors

Innovation, merchandising & digital transformation

Heritage for a digital age

MMAU seeks to protect the intellectual property rights and traditional cultural expressions of members, and to drive the digital transformation of the sector.