The National Library of Uganda (NLU) was established by an Act of Parliament in 2003, succeeding the former Public Libraries Board, which had been in place since 1964. This transition marked a significant change in library service management in Uganda, positioning the NLU as the nation’s legal deposit library. Located along Buganda Road in Kampala, the NLU plays a crucial role in collecting, managing, preserving, and disseminating Uganda’s documented heritage, ensuring that all published works within the country are deposited and maintained. These materials include books, newspapers, government publications, and other documents of cultural, historical, and educational importance.
The NLU oversees public libraries nationwide, providing standards, guidelines, and policies to support effective local library management. It also actively promotes a reading culture in Uganda through literacy initiatives, partnerships, and book distribution efforts, such as collaborations with Book Aid International. The NLU’s partnerships with institutions like the Library of Congress have facilitated the digitization of local materials, increasing access to Uganda’s literary heritage through platforms like the World Digital Library.
With the enactment of the National Library Act of 2003, the NLU became the National Bibliographic Control Agency, tasked with legal deposit enforcement, publishing the National Bibliography of Uganda, allocating International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) and International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN), and managing a comprehensive national collection. These functions are essential for raising the profile of Ugandan literature both locally and internationally.
The NLU is organized into four departments i.e. the Office of the Director, which oversees administration and policy implementation; the Technical Services Department responsible for acquiring, processing, and maintaining library materials; the Inspection, Research, and Extension Services Department, which supports library standards and public outreach; and the Information and Referral Services Department, which manages the library’s collection and reference services.
The library’s collections include an Africana Collection, a General Reference and Special Collection, and an extensive Newspaper Collection featuring historical publications such as The Uganda Argus and The Uganda Herald. The NLU also runs various programs and projects, including rural community library campaigns and book exhibitions, while supporting adult literacy and educational initiatives. Its comprehensive mandate involves cataloguing, bibliographic control, maintaining a national union catalogue, and establishing electronic databases.
With its focus on preserving Uganda’s documented heritage and promoting access to information, the NLU strives to be a leading institution in the delivery of library and information services across the country.