UDSM Inaugurates Landmark University Museum to Showcase Tanzania’s Heritage and Academic Legacy
By Zamda George, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has reached a historic milestone with the official inauguration of its first-ever University Museum—an initiative hailed as a bridge between Tanzania’s academic excellence and global heritage.
Speaking at the event, which was held on 22 August, 2025 at the University of Dar es Salaam, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Dunstan Luka Kitandula, who represented the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana (MP), underscored the national and international significance of the facility. He described it as a centre dedicated to preserving, showcasing, and advancing the University’s rich academic, cultural, and historical heritage.
Calling it “a historic day in the life of UDSM and the nation at large,” Hon. Kitandula noted: “This museum is not just a house of collections, but a treasure of knowledge, a mirror of our history, and an inspiration for our future”.
He pledged government support through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to strengthen the museum’s growth, including technical guidance, capacity building, and national and international promotion. The Deputy Minister also commended the role of the World Bank and other partners in making the vision a reality, urging Tanzanians—especially the youth—to embrace a culture of visiting museums as a means of learning and nurturing national pride.
Hon. Ambassador Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar, Chairperson of the UDSM Council, emphasized the university’s pioneering role in higher education and heritage preservation: “With this initiative, UDSM is once again leading the way. The museum must be used effectively, and I urge the University to ensure it flourishes as a resource for generations to come”.
Knowledge hub, heritage archive, and platform for academic and societal engagement
UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof. William A. L. Anangisye, described the new facility as a “knowledge hub, heritage archive, and platform for academic and societal engagement.” He highlighted its dual role as a teaching and research centre as well as a “living classroom” for students, researchers, and the wider public.
Prof. Anangisye also acknowledged the leadership of Chancellor H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and the UDSM Council for making the dream a reality, while recognizing the vital contributions of the World Bank, UNESCO, and the National Museum of Tanzania.
Dr. Noel Biseko Lwoga, Director General of the National Museum of Tanzania and a former UDSM academic, expressed personal pride in the initiative: “This museum is close to my heart, not only because of my history with UDSM but also because of what it stands for. I pledge to work hand in hand with the UDSM Museum team and to link this initiative with the broader network of museums nationwide”.
Adding to the celebration, Dr. Mpale Silkiluwasha, Principal of the College of Humanities (CoHU), reflected on the long process that led to the museum’s establishment: “This has been a collective journey of vision, dedication, and resilience. Today we celebrate not just a building, but a repository of knowledge, memory, and identity for the University community and beyond”.
With this inauguration, UDSM becomes the first higher learning institution in Tanzania to establish a dedicated museum, joining a select group of African universities with similar facilities. The UDSM Museum is set to become a centre of learning, research, cultural preservation, and tourism—cementing the University’s legacy as a leading hub of knowledge and innovation in the region.