Femme Forte Uganda launches a Virtual Museum to honour African feminists

On Friday, 7^th March, a day before Women’s Day, a new dawn of honouring African feminists – the Virtual Museum of African Feminists – was launched at Nsambya Gardens, Kampala. The virtual museum is a groundbreaking digital platform dedicated to celebrating the legacies of feminist icons across Africa.

The museum  features an extraordinary collection of African feminists across different fields. Among the collections at museum are those for  Prof. Sylvia Tamale, renowned for her groundbreaking work on decolonization and African feminism, challenging colonial gender norms and championing indigenous feminist thought, Dr. Hilda Tadria , a movement builder and co-founder of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), strengthening feminist networks and grassroots activism,  Dr. Fatou Sow , a  scholar whose work on gender, religion, and feminism in Africa has shaped critical discourse on women’s rights and  Ms. Hope Chigudu , esteemed for her relentless work on building organizations with a soul and grounded in feminist principles.

Also curated in the museum are Dr. Sarah Ssali ,a  leading voice in feminist health research and policy advocacy, exploring the intersections of gender and public health, a  Amina Mama ,a  scholar and filmmaker using research and storytelling to expose gender injustices, including her documentary, The Witches of Gambaga, Thelma Sowa , a fearless advocate for women’s political participation, challenging donor-recipient models to empower grassroots feminist movements, Twasiima Bigirwa , a renowned for her revolutionary compilation of poetry that heals, encourages and shapes the future of the movement, a  Nima Elbagir , an award-winning journalist whose investigative reporting has shed light on gender-based violence and human rights violations and  Linda Butare , a  poet and curator whose work at Kwivuga uses spoken word as a feminist tool for storytelling and activism.

“Feminist activism can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. This museum will serve as a digital sanctuary, where feminist history is preserved, and activists can find stories of strength, resistance, and healing. As digital spaces grow, there is an increasing opportunity to reach broader audiences and offer resources that integrate healing practices into activism,” said Penelope Sanyu, Chief Steward at Femme Forte.

“Many feminist histories and personal testimonies are at risk of being lost. This museum will ensure that these narratives are not only documented but also held with care and dignity.”

She said the need for a feminist virtual museum, stemmed from the lack of central repositories and platforms dedicated to documenting and celebrating the contributions of women and gender minorities in Uganda and Africa.

“Many feminist efforts, particularly grassroots movements, have been overshadowed by mainstream narratives. This digital museum will provide a much-needed space for these voices, ensuring that future generations understand the depth, diversity, and dynamism of the feminist movement in Uganda and Africa.”

Officials said the virtual museum features virtual exhibits, digital archive, interactive storytelling, educational resources and community engagement.

According to Samantha Agasha, the communications lead at Femme Forte Uganda, the virtual museum is expected to increase awareness and appreciation of Uganda’s and Africa’s feminist history among the public.

“We hope to create a s sense of unity and shared identity among feminists, activists, and supporters across Uganda and beyond where feminists feel held, heard, and supported. We also hope to achieve enhanced resources for educational institutions to teach about feminist history and theory and provide learning resources that integrate wellness and activism.”

Femme Forte Uganda invited the public to contribute, by sharing stories, nominating feminist icons, giving financially towards the sustainability of the museum and ensuring that the museum reflects the vast, diverse realities of African feminism.

The virtual museum can be accessed online via