From Cambridge to Kampala: Uganda’s Stolen Artifacts Finally Return Home

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed his delight at the repatriation of cultural artifacts from Britain, which were originally taken from Uganda during the colonial period.

A statement released by the Presidential Press Unit revealed that President Museveni was overjoyed by the return of the cultural artifacts, hailing it as a momentous occasion in Uganda’s history.

The statement reveals that the President was briefed on the repatriation of the cultural artifacts during the regular Cabinet Meeting held yesterday, sparking his delight and satisfaction.

“These artifacts, taken from Uganda during the colonial era, have been a poignant reminder of the country’s rich cultural heritage that has long resided abroad. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities expresses profound gratitude for the return of these invaluable pieces, eagerly anticipated since negotiations began in 2019. These artifacts, taken by British colonial administrators, missionaries, anthropologists, and soldiers during the 1890s and early 1900s, hold immense historical importance for Uganda and its people,” the statement reads in part.

“This endeavor is part of a broader effort to secure the cultural rights of Ugandans sustainably and preserve the country’s heritage for generations to come,” the statement added.

The University of Cambridge’s Museums and Botanic Garden, specifically the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, returned 39 artifacts to Uganda last week. Notably, a stunning headdress from Lango, taken in 1937, was among the items repatriated.

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Additionally, various pieces of barkcloth, retrieved from storage, were also returned. The barkcloths, which vary significantly in size — ranging from 53 cm x 16 cm to 459 cm x 248 cm – still bear visible beater marks, forming intricate patterns in some cases. Due to their large size, many of the barkcloths are stored rolled in acid-free cardboard tubes and hung from poles, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

The repatriation of the artifacts was initiated under the “Rethinking Uganda Museum” project in 2016, a collaborative effort supported by the University of Michigan and funded by the Andrew Mellon Foundation. This project culminated in a significant milestone in November 2022, when two Ugandan curators were invited to select the artifacts to be repatriated, marking a crucial step in the journey to reclaim Uganda’s cultural heritage. Through this joint effort, the artifacts have finally been returned to their country of origin, symbolizing a triumph in cultural repatriation and international cooperation.

The British Empire, which once colonized Uganda and numerous other African nations, as well as countries around the world, plundered and removed numerous invaluable artifacts from their rightful homes. However, following persistent advocacy and campaigning by dedicated activists in recent years, Britain has begun to return these stolen treasures to their countries of origin.