A field research report on selected monumental sculptures in Uganda with the aim of critically analysing them.

Abstract

Monuments are structures specifically created to commemorate either a person or an event, to remember a historical incidence related to either that person or that event. They are built / constructed in different shapes, sizes, and importance but we treasure them and in more developed societies, they are protected and valued. Monuments not only add beauty and colour to a place, they are wonderful landmarks that say a lot about the community and its heritage. In Uganda, there are personal monuments and monuments of historical and cultural importance that have either been paid little attention to or that we have looked at with little appreciation much as they are easy to reach. According to Fredrick Nsibambi, a heritage consultant with The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, monuments are important in varying ways. “Monuments are reference points of our history and culture, memorial sites and they also have economic reasons.” Historically, the sculptural monuments depict historical background and incidences of the country/ community where it is located. For example the independence monument was designed to show freedom since the time Uganda got independence, the stride built in memory of the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007. The World War Memorial Monument was built in memory of the Ugandan soldiers who died during World War I and II and among others.