Museveni welcomes return of Uganda’s cultural heritage artifacts
Excitement surrounds their return as they become a tangible link to Uganda's past, now destined for their rightful place within the country's cultural landscape.
President Yoweri Museveni, receiving the assortment of Uganda's artifacts. (Courtesy Photos)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
_____________ Artefacts shield from Masindi 1905 One of the assortment items Artefacts Lango head dress Artefacts Acholi Head Dress
President Yoweri Museveni has received an assortment of Uganda's artifacts that were taken out of the country during the British colonial era by various groups and individuals.
These include administrators, missionaries, anthropologists, and soldiers who shipped them to the United Kingdom between the 1890s and early 1900s. The 39 items, returned earlier this month from the Cavendish University Museum, include intricately woven beads on headgear, fly whisks, drums, shields, and weapons.
During a cabinet meeting at State House on Monday, June 24th, President Museveni received these culturally significant artifacts from Cambridge University, marking a profound moment in the nation's history.
The artifacts, taken from Uganda during the colonial era, have long been a poignant reminder of the country's rich cultural heritage residing abroad. Excitement surrounds their return as they become a tangible link to Uganda's past, now destined for their rightful place within the country's cultural landscape.
According to a release from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU), the return of these artifacts shows a commitment to acknowledging and honouring Uganda's history while paving the way for a brighter cultural future.
Culture enthusiasts, scholars, and conservative citizens welcome them back as symbols of renewed pride in Uganda's heritage and anticipate the positive impact this return will have on cultural preservation and historical remembrance.
Cultural heritage experts note that these artifacts, taken during the colonial era, serve as a link to Uganda's rich cultural heritage, which has transformed over time. As custodians of this wealth of history and cultural importance, these artifacts have excited scholars and conservative segments of the population.
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities expresses profound gratitude for the return of these invaluable pieces, eagerly anticipated since negotiations began in 2019. Taken by British colonial administrators, missionaries, anthropologists, and soldiers during the 1890s and early 1900s, the shields, headgear, royal regalia, and twin umbilical cords are culturally treasured.
Their repatriation sets a precedent for future returns of historical objects acquired during the same period, as Uganda joins other African nations like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana in reclaiming its cultural legacy. This endeavour is part of a broader effort to secure the cultural rights of Ugandan sustainably and preserve the country's heritage for generations to come.
During recent unveiling events in Kampala, the Acting Commissioner of Museums in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Jackline Besigye, revealed that these priceless pieces belong to various regions of the country.
"Look at the ding ding headgear bedecked with ostrich feathers and bands worn today; they vary from the lot returned from the UK. The mastery of the craft is evidence that art is in the Acholi DNA,” she remarked while addressing a group gathered at Uganda Museum in the city suburb of Kamwokya.
The process of repatriating the artifacts began under the 'Rethinking Uganda Museum' project in 2016, supported by the University of Michigan and funded by the Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Through collaborative efforts, two Ugandan curators were invited to select the artifacts to be repatriated in November 2022, marking a pivotal moment in the journey to bring these cultural treasures back to Uganda.