Uganda has received on loan from Harvard University a historic headdress that once adorned Kabaka Mwanga as the government continues in negotiations for cultural artefacts that were taken from the country by colonialists. The headdress, which for over a hundred years has remained in a museum, is looked upon as symptomatic of Ugandan heritage and a royal entity.

The headdress, taken by the British forces following the exile of Kabaka Mwanga in the late 19th century, finally arrived after two years of negotiation. Wrapped up in rare materials, including human hair and with signs of the traditional Buganda monarchy, it is one of deep culture to Ugandans.

Records from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities show that Kabaka Mwanga reigned over Buganda between 1884 and 1897, a period characterized by the increasing influence and missionary activities by the British. He resisted the colonial expansion of his territory; this saw his exile in 1899 to Seychelles, where he died in 1903. Both Kabaka Mwanga and Omukama Kabalega were captured by the British army in a cave at Kangai Sub-county in Dokolo District.

It was taken with the other important items of the culture by British authorities and became transported to eventual placement in United States museum collections at Harvard University.

Jackline Myiracyiza Besigye, commissioner for museums and monuments at the Ministry of Tourism, told AFP that Harvard’s intervention paved the way after long discussions to have the piece loaned from the British Museum, which held it for well over a century.

According to her, this is in line with recovery efforts of such lost cultural items and an impulse to boost the country’s internal tourism.

Speaking at the Kabalega and Mwanga Heritage Site in Kangai, Besigye emphasized proper documentation and digitization of Uganda’s artifacts.

“We are actively documenting and digitizing over one million artifacts housed in our museums; many go back to the early 1900s. A number were taken by missionaries and colonial forces with the intention of weakening African traditions and monarchies,” he said.

She further explained that reclaiming these cultural items is key to rewriting Uganda’s history from an African perspective, rather than a colonial one.

“This process took us nearly two years to finalize, with financial support from the Mellon Foundation to aid in transportation and preservation. We are also collecting historical accounts from local communities to build a strong case for the complete return of these items,” she added.

Besigye said that Uganda is working on establishing new heritage centers across the country, including one in the Lango sub-region, as part of the wider government’s cultural heritage efforts to house and display reclaimed artifacts.

“The participation of local communities is very important in this initiative. Their knowledge is helping us challenge colonial narratives about these artifacts, which strengthens our demand for full restitution,” she said.

**Kangai: Where Mwanga and Kabalega were captured

Kangai in Dokolo District, a spot now identified as the Kabalega and Mwanga Heritage Site, has enormous historical significance since it is the place where these two Kings of Uganda were captured by British forces in 1899.

Both Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda and Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro resisted British colonial rule before they were overpowered and sent into exile. Their capture marked the end of local resistance against British rule in Uganda.

With most of the historical artifacts still outside Uganda, the government is still committed to negotiating their return so that future generations can learn and connect with their country’s rich history.