Being Ugandan, born and bred, I am well versed with my homeland's history; but a visit to the Uganda Museum brought it all to life.
All through Primary and Secondary schools I was taught of the times of the past, how Governor George Wilson called for "All articles of Interest" on Uganda to be procured.
Several collections were made and a Museum established... With a few hours left to the end of my one day tour of Kampala, Uganda Museum was my last destination choice.
Located in the Northern part of Kampala, on Kitante Hill, Kira road, a few kilometres away from the City center, the Uganda Museum housed some of the most informative and interesting exhibitions.
I discovered displays of ethnological, natural/historical and traditional life collections of Uganda's cultural heritage.
On my way into the Museum, through the hall, three pathways led to different exhibits:
The Ethnological Gallery: that comprised more than 90,000 objects of historical value. Backcloth showcase, traditional wooden stools, Gomesi and Kanzu traditional outfits of Uganda and many more.
Palaeontology Section: This section showcased fossils that are related to human evolution. The Uganda Pithecus, a fossil ape's skull aged between 19-20 million years that was discovered in Napak, was on display among others.
The Music Gallery: displayed a comprehensive collection of musical instruments from all parts of Uganda. Drums, Percussions, wind and string instruments and many more from differing locales.
The Information from the tour guide, on all exhibitions, was aphoristic and easy to digest. The highlight of my evening, however, was the "Cultural Village."
At the back of the Museum building was a collection of Huts depicting traditional lifestyles of the Ugandan.
Stuff of tales my granddad narrated to me about their earlier days... The cultural Village at the Museum provided an experience of the indigenous ways of Ugandans back in the days.
An array of cultural materials, the likes of wooden Milk pots, ceramics, leather work, basketry and many more were displayed.
Some of those huts that left an impression were:
Batooro hut: that had a wooden bed, backcloth blanket and Royal drums.
Bugisu hut: that housed circumcision tools of knives, the operator's headgear, e.t.c
Teso hut: with calabashes for brewing Malwa( a fermentated brew from Millet), mingling stones for grinding millet to Kalo( Millet bread) e.t.c
The Cultural Village was a much appreciated view into the history of Uganda, the life of my people before colonisation and modernisation; and was my favourite piece.
I took away so much, and a lot came into perspective on my life's trajectory from that visit to the Uganda Museum.
A very informative and educative evening it was! A perfect ending to a day's tour of Kampala, the Capital city of Uganda.
The Foot-trail continued...
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