Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago has sounded a call for the protection of the city's prestigious heritage sites at all costs.
Speaking during the 6th edition of the heritage awards by the Cross Cultural Foundation Uganda held at the Mayor's Palour in Kampala, Lukwago said he is irked by a lack of a sense of preservation by most leaders in the city.
Cultivating and appreciating our heritage within our current generation is still lacking.We still have a big challenge in my assessment. Often times we are frown upon if we symbolize our heritage and cultural values. There is a way you are perceived in society and sometimes in a very disparaging manner," Lukwago said.
"As institution of KCCA, we are championing a transformative agenda. Sometimes we reach developed cities and want to take pictures to carry back home but many of them are designed in such a way that the artefact and street furniture speak to their heritage which is a very big challenge here. The transformation agenda we are pursuing as a city is in a way adulterating our heritage. Many of you are supporting that narrative but it has left us with very few features of historical significance in this city."
Lukwago said unlike other cities, Kampala is one which doesn't reflect its heritage and history in any way.
" A city should be able to speak about its history and heritage but in Kampala and Uganda the story is different. The critical challenge is how we take modernity but at the same time preserve our heritage. We phased out quite a number of structures of historical significance. Start with the logo of KCCA. It looked small but spoke volumes. Our previous one had the Uganda Kob and the Impala which defined Kampala but the current logo we have is only a tower with huge word KCCA. But look at Nairobi and other neighbouring cities like Dar Es Salaam. Ours is disgusting."
"There are many other buildings of heritage and historical significance for this city and country but many have been razed down. Why should we have destroyed Nile Mansions in the name of modernity? It should have remained there as a dungeon to remind us that we used to have those dark days and constant reminder that we shouldn't go back to them."
Lukwago however called for deliberate efforts to ensure the return of Kampala's treasured heritage sites and monuments which he said speak volumes of the history of the city.
Fredrick Nsibambi, the Deputy Executive Director at the Cross Cultural Foundation Uganda(CCFU) said there are many challenges to safeguarding and preserving heritage in Uganda.
"One of the challenges is rooted in failure to understand and appreciate this heritage. Some people are saying why should we conserve this heritage which is colonial and doesn't belong to us? Then others are saying whether it belongs to the colonial era, it is part of us and our heritage," Nsibambi said.
" The other challenge is that people don't see the economic, social and political value of these historical sites and yet if they are well preserved, they are important sources of tourism wealth as tourist attractions. In Europe they don't have national parks but historical buildings and people pay a lot of money to visit them. If we preserve our historical buildings, we can be able to generate a lot of income."
He however said as an NGO, CCFU cant do much to save the country's heritage sites and monuments since their largely depend on donor funds.
Nsibambi however said they have in the past helped to carry out research and document heritage sites and monuments around the country but also working with local authorities like KCCA to come up with ordinances on buildings and sites.
The awards
During the evening on Thursday, seven people were awarded for their contribution towards preservation and promotion of Uganda's heritage- whether built, natural or intangible.
Josephine Kyomuhendo, a London-based eco-sustainable designer of Ugandan heritage was awarded for her unique garments and accessories that blend creative styles with traditional Ugandan fabrics and techniques.
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Dr.Yolam Nsamba,a former private secretary to the king of Bunyoro-Kitara was awarded for dedicating life to preserving the kingdom's history and culture while veteran journalist, Tony Owana was recognized for his mini- museum showcasing the rich history and heritage of Uganda.
On the other side, the Uganda Nubian consultative forum in Bombo was also recognized for preserving a 1922 mosque where prominent sheikhs in Uganda, renowned Nigerian scholar Muhammad Abdulah from Bonu state and former President Iddi Amin were trained.
Others were Rwendike chiefdom for championing the safeguarding of Kotilo sacred forest reserve where Madi chief from the Rwendike chiefdom are buried, Tooro Botanical gardens for understanding, valuing and conserving biodiversity and journalist Bamuturaki Musinguzi for reporting and writing articles relating to indigenous minorities, traditional medicine, historical buildings and sites.
