Uganda Heritage Conference Highlights Need to Preserve Architectural Identity amid Urban Growth

 The 3rd Uganda National Cultural Heritage Conference was held at Fairway Hotel Kampala, bringing together cultural leaders, heritage experts, and policymakers to examine how the country could modernize its cities without losing its architectural identity.

Held under the theme Urbanization without Eraser: Architectural Heritage in Uganda’s Changing Urban Centers, the conference focused on balancing rapid urban development with the preservation of historic buildings.

Speaking during the event, John Dconanck called for deliberate efforts to safeguard Uganda’s architectural heritage. He emphasized that urbanization should not be equated with demolition, but rather seen as an opportunity to renovate and adapt existing structures.

Dconanck noted that old buildings are more than physical structures, describing them as carriers of community identity and history, and warned that once such heritage is destroyed, it cannot be recreated.

He urged stakeholders to prioritize restoration over replacement and advocated for policies that support the preservation of original designs and historical value while allowing buildings to be adapted for modern use.

The State Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra framed the discussion around whether development could take place without erasing the heritage that defines communities.

Mugarra said urban heritage extends beyond old buildings to include a broader system of identity, memory, and culture, cautioning that losing this heritage is not only a cultural setback but also a development challenge.

Referencing global practices such as heritage-sensitive planning and adaptive reuse, speakers at the conference called for approaches that integrate preservation into urban growth. The consensus that emerged from the discussions was that sustainable development should allow cities to evolve while retaining the historical character that shapes them.

ENDS