Uganda Reclaims Cultural Heritage: 39 Artifacts Returned from Cambridge University

On Sunday, Uganda received 39 cultural heritage artifacts that had been housed for over a century in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University. These artifacts originate from various regions across Uganda, including a drum from Bunyoro sent to Cambridge in 1920.

The collection process began as early as the 1890s by British colonial administrators, anthropologists, missionaries, and soldiers. Many items were acquired in the early 20th century by John Roscoe, a missionary anthropologist with strong ties to Cambridge, as noted by Prof. Derek Peterson, who coordinated the return.

Among the returned items are the balongo, sacred ‘twins’ with significant ritual importance in Buganda. Peterson stated that efforts are underway to return them to their original tombs in collaboration with the Buganda kingdom. Peterson, a history professor at the University of Michigan working with the Uganda Museum, emphasized that these artifacts are crucial for recounting a more authentic Ugandan cultural history, moving away from narratives shaped by colonial perspectives.

He highlighted that such artifacts were taken to Britain as loot, as British curators, missionaries, and officials often devalued African cultures. Collectors like Roscoe would acquire important items, which then became part of Cambridge’s collections. The repatriation honors Uganda’s past and helps recover lost cultural heritage.

The return of these artifacts, costing up to USD 100,000, was funded by the Andrew Mellon Foundation, which supported the research and transportation efforts. Martin Mugarra, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, mentioned that the government aims to reclaim all artifacts taken by colonial authorities from various Ugandan communities between the mid-1800s and early 1900s. The repatriated items will enrich Uganda’s cultural history and heritage.

Jackline Nyiracyiza, the Commissioner for Museums and Monuments, stated that the process of returning these artifacts began in 2019 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cambridge University still possesses many Ugandan artifacts. The returned items include five human remains of the balongo from Buganda, a headdress made of human hair from Lango, and decorated pots from Ankole.

This is the second repatriation of Ugandan cultural heritage from Cambridge; the first occurred in July 1962 during the independence celebrations. Before public viewing, the Ministry will analyze the artifacts’ condition at the Uganda Museum and later organize an exhibition. Apart from the five items returned to Buganda, the rest will be housed at the Uganda Museum, with plans to eventually return them to their original communities once they are deemed capable of preserving them properly.