I was born in Uganda, Kampala to parents from Hoima, and Masindi in the Kingdom of Bunyoro Kitara. I came to the UK at an early age, but my primary roots remained in Bunyoro-Ugandan soil. The relocation, and subsequent preoccupations linked with integration further weakened these roots. My identity as a Munyoro-Ugandan eclipsed by prioritising security in a new home, growing new roots and identity to enable me to thrive. It was through this dislocated lens that I viewed my own cultural heritage. I grew up surrounded by a large, extended family in London, and retained links to relatives in Uganda. A close-knit family shaped my cultural identity. The celebratory get togethers provided opportunities to cook and eat Ugandan food. We rarely discussed topics concerned with politics and history, as we strived to live in the present, and not get stuck in the painful memories left behind.

Years later, my son reactivated the dormant primary roots left in Bunyoro-Uganda. His teacher asked his class to write about a hero of his choice, and he chose Omukama Kabalega. He authored a book about why he was his hero, as he stated, “Our King was brave like a lion, because he fought the British for his country.” I watched as pride about his heritage grew within him. He educated his peers about this lesser-known country that had Kings, and a royal family that looked just like him. His peers had once told him that brown kings did not exist. I then understood my responsibility for moulding his own cultural and individual sense of identity. I committed to fully reconnect with our shared history of Bunyoro Kitara. I was vaguely aware of the items located in Oxford. I think most Banyoro speak in dissociated terms about these artefacts. We know where they are, but there is a sense of elusiveness. This relates to a lack of confrontation about aspects of the kingdom’s painful past, and battles lost. Difficult emotions tend to be suppressed and hidden, and just like the artefacts they become concealed. Without unpacking the emotional charge and history retold, then those stories are lost with each generation.

My son and I made the journey to Oxford, Pitt Rivers Museum. Through the glass display, we marvelled at the throne stool his hero had once sat on. I recall dropping to my knees at the display, and not being able to take my eyes off the artefacts that my ancestors had once touched and worn. The journey to the Rethinking relationships project began at that point. I excitedly fired off an email to the director of African collections, requesting to view the items outside of the glass. There was an intense need, in my view a spiritual push to be close to the items. I had grown up understanding that our ancestors were around us, to guide and protect us, and I felt this guidance. Viewing the items was an intensely emotional experience, and I was silent, tearful, joyful, just feeling a myriad of emotions. I could imagine the Omukama sitting on the throne, with his personal dagger used for the protection of his country, tucked by his side. As I said a prayer for and to him, I felt sad and heavy. Omukama Kabalega had fought and suffered for Bunyoro Kitara, and yet here his personal belongings were behind a glass (or locked away), for viewing. The public walking past and looking at the display barely know about his once powerful Kingdom, his reverence to the Banyoro and Ugandans. Our Omukama’s items are here, in the UK but they are not accompanied by his, and our Kingdoms full extraordinary story.

As a proud Munyoro, I feel a strong need tell the story of my ancestors from the Kingdom, Kings, Queens, and people who lived during pre- and post-colonial periods. Starting with an investigation on how the venerated belongings of Omukama Kabalega found their way to the UK. Whilst I conduct this research, there is reflection on how my fellow Banyoro, Ugandans like me and the next generation, such as my son, nephews and nieces engage with our cultural heritage located in the UK. These items do not belong here, but the reality is that not all items will return home, just like some of us in the Diaspora. Our artefacts made the journey to the UK before we did. The museum holds a connection to my, and our roots. Here is an opportunity find out, consume our heritage, share local knowledge, and retell our ancestors’ true stories, which are mirrored in our own contemporary lives. The desire for the Rethinking Relationships project is to knit the stories of our identity, past and present.