DEVELOPMENT OF MUSEULOGICAL CENTRE AT KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ICOM  International Council of Museums 

ITEK Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo 

KYU Kyambogo University 

UNISE Uganda National Institute of Special Education 

UPK Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo 

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out at Kyambogo University (KyU), main campus with the purpose of assessing the requirements for the development of museulogical centre. The study objects included: to assess the current state of museulogical objects at Kyambogo University, to identify the requirement for establishing a museulogical centre and to suggest best practices for sustaining the museulogical centre. The study used a descriptive research design where both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection were adopted using questionnaires and observation checklist. The study population was the university administrators and (students) with a sample size of 20 who were selected using purposive sampling technique. The study found out that the development of a museulogical centre requires researchers, archaeologists to take a step forward and develop the work of the several Antiquities. For KyU to develop a museulogical centre it needs to focus on objects of historical value which can be preserved by keeping them in a well organized environment and in normal temperatures and protecting them by keeping them in a cool dry place and covering objects with big pieces of clothes. The main requirements for establishing a museulogical centre are skilled people, money, collections, and premises while the best practices to sustain a museulogical centre include maintenance and repair programmes, direct revenue generation, sponsorship attraction and preserve the collections which could be promoted through exhibitions and radio talk shows. The study recommended that the government should examine current strengths and weaknesses of the museum’s policies, and specifically planning of building new museums and it’s related “collection policy.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the background to the study, the statement of the problem, purpose of the study, specific objective of the study, research questions, scope of the study, significance, based on management of electronic information resources.

1.1 Background to the study

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) defines a museum as: a non-profit making permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, and open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their environment (Moore, 2001).

A university museum is a repository of collections run by a university, typically founded to aid teaching and research within the institution of higher learning. The Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford in England is an early example, originally housed in the building that is now the Museum of the History of Science. A more recent example is the Holburne Museum of Art in Bath, originally constructed as a hotel in 1796 it is now the official museum of the University of Bath (Hamilton, 2005).

University museums are represented by a variety of historical, traditional and novel entities, such as anatomical theaters and archeology museums, natural science and art museums, history museums, planetariums, arboretums and aquariums, archives and house-museums, science and arts centers, ecomuseums, hospital museums, and contemporary art galleries, as well as discipline-specific collections hosted by academic departments and institutes; some special collections are hosted by the university libraries. In general, university museums and collections are classified based on disciplinary criteria or the nature of the artifacts (Lourenço, 2005).

Kyambogo University (KYU) is a public university in Uganda. It was established in 2003 by the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 by merging Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (ITEK), and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE).

As of June 2017, KyU had six Faculties and 2 Schools offering over 126 programme from certificate to PHD. It has a population of 20,000 resident students and over 39,000 in 56 affiliated institutions covering Uganda.

1.2 Problem Statement

Kyambogo University merged from adjacent institutions which had evolved from different historical facts. It seems there is no effort being made to either preserve or protect the available museulogical objects. There is no policy or organ responsible for their management consequent, the university is loosing its historical perspective which needs to be protected and urgently preserved. This report was therefore aligned toward that goal.

1.3 Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study was to assess the requirements for the development of museulogical centre at Kyambogo University.

1.4 Specific objectives of the study

1. To assess the current state of museulogical objects at Kyambogo University
2. To identify the requirement for establishing a museulogical centre
3. To suggest best practices for sustaining the museulogical centre

1.5 Research questions

1. What is the current state of museulogical objects at Kyambogo University?
2. What requirements are needed for establishing a museulogical centre?
3. What can be done to sustain the museulogical centre?

1.6 Scope of the study

1.6.1 Content scope

The study aimed at assessing the requirements for the development of museulogical centre at Kyambogo University.

1.6.2 Geographical scope

The study was carried out at Kyambogo University (KyU), main campus.

1.6.3 Time scope

The study considered information since the institution was established in 2003

1.7 Significance of the study

1. The findings shall avail the institution with information about the requirements needed for developing a museulogical centre and proper strategies to sustain it.
2. The findings of the study shall serve as a benchmark to other institutions who intend to develop a museulogical centre. It shall enable them to better understand the best development practices.
3. The study shall help in generating information for other researchers to advance research in this area.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the review of the related literature in the line with research objectives.

2.1 Current state of Museulogical Objects

Museulogical object can be defined as any kind of reality in general; it could be also a pleonasm in so far as the museum is not only the place which shelters objects, but also a place with the principal mission of transforming things into objects (Desvallees & Mairesse, 2010). 

The Uganda museum is the oldest museum in East Africa; it was officially established by the British protectorate government in 1908 with ethnographic material. The history of the museum goes back to 1902 when Governor George Wilson called for collection of objects of interest throughout the country to set up a museum. The museum started in a small Sikh temple at Lugards Fort on Old Kampala Hill. Between 1920s and 1940s, archaeology and paleontological surveys and excavations were conducted by Church Hill, E. J. Wayland, Bishop J. Wilson, P. L. Shinnie, E. Lanning, and several others, who collected a significant number of artifacts to boost the museum. The museum at Fort Lugard become too small to hold the specimens, and the museum was moved to the Margret Trowel School of Fine Art at Makerere University College in 1941. Later, funds were raised for a permanent home and the museum was moved to its current home on Kitante Hill in 1954. In 2008, the museum turned 100 years old (Wesaka, 2013).

The Uganda Museum displays and exhibits ethnological, natural-historical and traditional life collections of Uganda’s cultural heritage. The museum was founded in 1908, after Governor George Wilson called for “all articles of interest” on Uganda to be procured (Jackson, 2013). Also among the collections in the Uganda Museum are playable musical instruments, hunting equipment, weaponry, archaeology and entomology (Lewis, 2013).

According to Antony (2013), the Uganda Museum carries out research across the country, though intensive research has been conducted in Karamoja region (Napak, Moroto and Kadam), Eastern Uganda at the foothills of Mount Elgon (Bukwo) and the whole of western rift to Dellu near Uganda’s border to Sudan. The Paleontological Research Unit has yielded interesting fossils in relation to human evolution. For instance the Uganda Pithecus (fossil skull of a remote cousin of Hominidae). This fossil ape, aged between 19 and 20 million years, was discovered in Napak. Paleoenvironmental research around heritage sites has also taken place in eastern and western Uganda. The Uganda Museum collaborates with Mbarara University, Makerere University, College de Franca, Natural History Museum in Paris and the University of Michigan in this field.

Organizationally, university museums are represented by a variety of historical, traditional and novel entities, such as anatomical theatres and archeology museums, natural science and art museums, history museums, planetariums, arboretums and aquariums, archives and house-museums, science and arts centers, ecomuseums, hospital museums, and contemporary art galleries, as well as discipline-specific collections hosted by academic departments and institutes; some special collections are hosted by the university libraries. In general, university museums and collections are classified based on disciplinary criteria or the nature of the artifacts (Lourenço, 2005).

The museum has a number of galleries: ethnographic, natural history, traditional music, science and industry, and early history. The ethnography section holds more than 100,000 object of historical and cultural value. A traditional reed door leads to exhibits on health, knowledge systems, and objects of warfare, traditional dressing and other various ceremonial practices in Uganda. The music gallery displays a comprehensive collection of musical instruments from all parts of Uganda. The instruments are arranged according to the major groups of music instruments: drums, percussion, wind and string instruments.

A wide range of collections exist from the 1960s to the present. Specimens are displayed in the Natural History /Palaeontology Gallery which is open to the public. Collections in storage are available to researchers and students on request. Publication of findings can be found in various journals including the Geo-Pal, an online Uganda Scientific Journal.

Apart from the permanent exhibits in the galleries, the Uganda museum offers educational service in form of demonstration lessons, outreach programs, workshops and complimentary services. Using the available specimens, the museum arranges a variety of topical lessons related to the school curriculum. Conducted tours are shown around the museum, as well as giving introductory lectures with slides, films, and other aids. The museum staff from the Education section goes into the more remote areas of the country to teach in villages whose schools are not able to visit the museums. Some objects are loaned out to schools to be used as visual aids. The museum hosts lectures, public talks and workshops on relevant topics to the public in the auditorium. The museum is well equipped with facilities, such as canteen and internet cafe, which offer a variety of traditional foods of Uganda, and gift shops that showcase Uganda’s crafts (Museum Education Services, 2014)

2.2 Requirements for establishing museulogical centre

2.2.1 Money 

The museum is requires financial support in two main areas- capital and revenue. Money for capital expenditure (i.e. setting up costs, building refurbishment, preliminary displays, equipment etc.) can be comparatively easy to obtain as supporters have got something tangible to show for their sponsorship. Revenue will also be needed to cope with the ongoing running costs of the building, conservation – both preventive and interventive, documentation, storage, exhibition work and security (Wallace, 2003).

2.2.2 Time

Frequently organisations setting up new museums underestimate the amount of time needed to carry out their development programme (Tirrell, 2000). A carefully written and structured development plan will avoid unnecessary delays. This will ensure there are adequate and realistic time frames for the tasks ahead and sufficient inbuilt flexibility to allow for the unforeseen (Arnold, 2006).

2.2.3 Skilled People

Volunteers only have limited time to give, and the feasibility of a paid curator should be considered. The range of experience of those involved in setting up and running a museum is a vital consideration in planning (Sandell, 2012). It will be important to develop the individuals involved in the museum project through training to ensure that they can make a useful as well as enthusiastic contribution to the museum (Nightmare, 2012).  

2.2.4 Collections 

A museum without collections is no museum at all. An appraisal of what could be collected within the theme(s) of the museum should be an integral part of the museum planning. The interest of a museum lies essentially in the collections it makes available to its users (Hamilton, 2005). If the collections are inadequate or of little consequence then it may well be argued that investment in a museum to house and care for them is really not worthwhile (Guthe, 2006).

2.2.4.1 Collection Identification Criteria 

The form criterion-aesthetic objects with reference or prototype

The object’s cultural significance, which is the aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value that it has for past, present and future generations. Objects which are considered are will not be considered for operation as use is mutually incompatible with preservation of the whole.

The representatively criterion, objects which represent ideas, valve judgments’ i.e. symbolically charged objects which stand for something more than the mere representation of afield of use.

The significance of the object’s function(s), including its alterations, repairs and modifications, if any. Any new use of an object will be compatible with original function with minimal change to fabric, respect of meanings and associations and continuation of practices which contribute to the cultural significance of that object.

The object’s current condition and state of preservation, the likely impact of wear to significant parts, the need to update to current safety standards and the requirement to remove hazardous materials and/or functions. Objects which are beyond their economic life (ie: in a state of accelerated wear) will not be chosen for operation unless physical integrity is deemed insignificant in relation to significant function.

The step-ladder criterion-firstlings, innovations.

The benefit to the public and to the museum, in order to inspire innovation, engages understanding, motivate learning or preserve the collections.

Publicity, direct revenue generation, sponsorship attraction or special interest group gratification may be considered as supplemental reasons for proposal for operation but Are not acceptable motivations on their own.

The resources required for maintaining the functionality for both the short and long term.

Money, time, facilities, equipment and skilled staff are required for treatments, maintenance and repair programmes. Thorough documentation including photography of all processes from decision-making to maintenance logs and handling requirements must be kept and be made accessible. Where resources cannot be committed to the long-term maintenance, repair and replacement programme, an object shall not be selected for operation.

The frequency criteria-the commonest objects

Museum needs in terms of frequency of operation and number of objects operating. One  operating object can be a focus for visitors but several operating objects can become a distraction or have minimal impact on public programmes restrictions of museum context (available space, exhibit design, health &safety requirements).

Opportunities to record through the media of film and photography the return to operation, use and maintenance in order to maintain knowledge of craft and traditional skills.

2.2.5 Premises 

Adequate housing is vital. Consider both its collections and the activities to be undertaken by the museum. Much attention has to be given to the suitability of buildings for the range of functions which they are to carry out. Collection holding spaces, with room for growth, is essential. Consider the long term maintenance costs involved in using particular types of buildings (Sandell, 2012). It may well be that a building has to be saved for posterity, but its long term maintenance may impact on other key responsibilities of the museum by draining away limited finance.

Equipment – The range of equipment a museum holds will be built up over a number of years. Pieces of equipment to monitor the museum’s environment (temperature and relative humidity) are an important resource to invest in. Security and documentation materials are others. Other equipment may include computers, display and exhibition materials, storage boxes and reference books (Olmi, 2001).

2.3 Measures for sustaining a museulogical centre

According to Abdulfattah (2012), each museum has to figure out the conditions of “disposals policy”, this policy should be followed restrictedly against disposal of any of its object collection, and it recognizes that only under certain conditions such disposal may occur. So, the disposals from the museum collections should only take place in rare cases when object is too badly damaged or deteriorated and has no need to be exhibited. 

In the case of establishing new museums, the objects should be selected from the source museums, magazines and archaeological sites, only if they have a great value serving the scenario, in a good condition, and fit with the nature and the aims of the museums.  Otherwise, there will be no reason to move or disposal of that objects (Desvallees,&Mairesse, 2010).

Any loaned object must be insured, packed and transported according to the standards of the International museums loan conditions (based upon Governmental Indemnity standards). Loans should not occur if they do not have a valid educational, scientific or academic requirement. The security of the object transfer should be satisfactory (ICOM Ethics code for Museums, 2013)

Objects should be handled as little as possible very carefully. Needless to say that objects should be lifted and moved in padded containers (trays, baskets, trolleys, etc) by means of specialized professional experts. In some cases, Egyptian curators have carried and transferred objects by taxi from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the National museum in Alexandria. It is supposed that Packing and object transportation should be supervised by the professional conservators, and preferably carried out by trained a staff who is experienced in objects handling and packaging (Eissa& Maher, 2008).

The documentation and registration are essential processes to run museum collections. They are important to establish the identity of objects in the collection; record essential information relating to them; to allow rapid search and retrieval without physical handling; and as essential aspects of security and audit. (Bradford Museums, 2005 – 2010). The Egyptian museums should follow one numbering system “Code” To facilitate recognizing museum objects when moved from museum to another (Roberts, 2004: 31).

The Library/Archives provides interlibrary loan access to its collections through cooperating libraries and institutions to those researchers who cannot obtain the material or information elsewhere. The library and Archive aim to acquire and preserve publications and documentation concerning the museum collections and to make the material available to researchers and interested public. The museum should only collect archive material if it is directly related to collections (Lewis, 2004). 

Each museum has to keep rules and regulation of Requests for loan of Library/Archives materials, which are placed using the Interlibrary Loan Form and in accord with the international Loan Code except for legal or curatorial considerations. The Original manuscripts, maps, state archives records and rare books should not be loaned for research purposes (Hawass, 2010).

In conclusion, the authority of Museums should examine current strengths and weaknesses of the Museum’s policies, and specifically planning of building new museums and its related “collection policy. So, they have to establish a general standard “collection policy” for the museums. This will help minimizing random decisions concerning objects transfer from museum or magazine to another. This will allow also decision maker to have a clear idea about the current situation of the “objects stock”, and the actual necessities of building new museums, and the priority of such museums to be built up.