Being one of the African counties whose original artefacts were taken away to distant countries, Uganda’s Tourism stake holders have inaugurated a lead role in seeking the return of Uganda’s long lost artefacts.
The Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), an umbrella association that brings together all tourism associations in Uganda, has called out for formation of a committee to lead the return of Ugandan artefacts from foreign museums.
While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industries chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, Mr. Herbert Byaruhanga, the President of UTA, said there was great need to repatriate these artifacts that would bring back Uganda’s lost tourism and historical glory.
According to Byaruhanga, who was presenting on the Museums and Monuments Bill, 2022, several artefacts were taken from different archeological and historical sites by different entities like the British, and to date, these have never been returned.
The Museums and Monuments Bill seeks to repeal the outdated 1967 Historical Monument Act. It among other things seeks to provide for the development, management, and maintenance of museums and monuments and formalise, control, and protect tangible and intangible heritage and works of art collection.
Byaruhanga said that it was a great achievement for several countries including the DR Congo (DRC) that are returning their furtively taken or stolen items – and besought that the Ugandan authorities do the same.
“We only have pictures in museums. The bill should start the process of bringing these artefacts back. We need to constitute a committee to survey, investigate and bring back the artefacts that were taken from places like Bigo bya Mugenyi, Ntuusi, Bwogero, and Nshogezi among others,” he said.
On specific provisions of the bill, Byaruhanga proposes that the administration and management of museums or sites should be done at district, community, and supervised levels by a government department.
He is also against the proposal to have the tangible and intangible heritage managed by different ministries and departments.
“The management of imbalu site is under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and management of rituals is under the Ministry of Gender, this confusion will affect tourism promotion and development.” He said.
Hon. Hannington Musoke Wakayima the Nansana Municipality MP questioned whether it is not pricy to repatriate the artifacts.
“It is expensive to maintain these artifacts when they are brought back, there are several items that were once returned and some of them are still in boxes, how can you help the committee to see how we can work on them despite these challenges?” he asked.
For only Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, it is reported that over 300 artefacts were taken by the British including the traditional nine legged stool, a symbol of the throne.
