Digitisation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Artefacts in Cultural Centres in Uganda: A Case Study of Igongo Museum and Cultural Centre, Mbarara.
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Date
2024
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Publisher
Kabale University
Abstract
Digitization of cultural heritage artifacts in developing countries, Uganda inclusive has been slow, leaving most of the artifacts in cultural institutions not fully digitized and hence affecting preservation and limiting accessibility to valuable information by users. The study’s overall goal was to explore any efforts taken to digitize cultural heritage artifacts in cultural institutions in Uganda, with a focus on Igongo Culture Centre. The study was guided by specific objectives: to ascertain the types of cultural heritage artifacts; to establish the conditions under which cultural heritage artefacts are kept; to assess the level of digitization of cultural heritage artifacts; to establish the challenges of digitization of cultural heritage artifacts and to propose possible strategies to the challenges of digitization of cultural heritage artifacts at Igongo Cultural Centre. The study employed descriptive research design and used a mixed research approach. The target population was 1600 and a sample of 330 respondents was selected using purposIVE and simple random sampling. Questionnaires, interview guides and an observation checklist were used to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS software version 26 and qualitative data was analysed using Thematic Analysis. The findings revealed a presence of cultural heritage artefacts (such as eclipse monument, milk gourds, calabashes, traditional homesteads, pangs, hoes, baskets, leather products, long stick, traditional game, wooden trough, spears, arrows and bows). The Centre’s lack of thermometer, hygrometer and Air Quality Index (AQI) exposed artifacts to dangers from temperature and relative humidity and air pollution (dust and smoke from nearby roads). Only 43% of the artefacts at the Cultural Centre were digitized. The study concluded that there is inadequate funding, no policies to guide the digitization process, fragility of artifacts and exposure to environmental conditions. This is exacerbated by inadequate knowledge and skills among staff who manage the materials.
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Keywords
Artifacts, Cultural Heritage, Digitization, Preservation
Citation
Twesigye, Christopher (2024). Digitisation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Artefacts in Cultural Centres in Uganda: A Case Study of Igongo Museum and Cultural Centre, Mbarara. Kabale: Kabale University.