Museveni receives cultural artifacts from Cambridge University

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has received culturally significant artifacts from Cambridge University, marking a profound moment in the nation’s history.

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.

President Museveni received the artifacts on June 24,2024 during a cabinet meeting at state house Entebbe.

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities expressed profound gratitude for the return of these invaluable pieces, eagerly anticipated since negotiations began in 2019.

Mr. Museveni said, “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.”

He said the repatriation of these artifacts sets a precedent for future returns of historical objects, acquired during colonial rule, as Uganda joins other African nations in reclaiming its cultural legacy.

“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,” he added.

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.

Having been housed at the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology for over a century, the ministry of tourism noted that these artifacts represent a tangible link to Uganda’s past, awaiting their rightful place within the country’s cultural landscape.

Mr. Musevevni said the return of these artifacts underscores a commitment to acknowledging and honoring Uganda’s history, while paving the way for a brighter cultural future.