‘Archives not in the show’: the case for the Uganda National Archives

Abstract

This article aims at reviewing the services offered by the Uganda National Archives (UNA) so as to provide a strategy to enhance effective archives utilisation in UNA. Questionnaires were issued to 35 users to UNA for the period June – December 2010 and 30 were returned duly filled. More information was obtained from a qualitative enquiry consisting of in-depth interviews with both the staff and the users of UNA. Findings showed that while UNA has a catalogue in place, access to archival materials is a challenge. Lack of comprehensive finding aids and low public awareness of the services provided are factors hindering UNA services. The existing legislation to support archival services is also not fully implemented. Measures such as updating the catalogue, formulation of access policy, full implementation of the Uganda Records and Archives Act 2001, ICT utilisation, appropriate training of UNA staff, and raising awareness of the public in general on the importance of archival services require serious consideration to improve the provision of archival services at UNA.