Leicester’s Ugandan Asian Exhibition shortlisted for award

An exhibition by Leicester based arts organisation, Navrang, has been shortlisted for a prestigious Museums + Heritage Award.

‘Rebuilding Lives – 50 Years of Ugandan Asians in Leicester’ which has attracted over 130,000 visitors to Leicester Museum and Art Gallery from across the UK, has been shortlisted in the ‘Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year’ category.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the arrival in the UK of thousands of Ugandan Asians, the exhibition, which originally opened in July 2022, was asked to extend its run in Leicester, to April 2023, due to the phenomenal number of visitors and international media coverage.

The exhibition formed the centerpiece of a programme of events both marking the anniversary of the exodus in 1972 by those fleeing the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, and celebrating the contribution the Asian community has made to Leicester’s culture, economy and community over the last half a century.

The exhibition was also featured on BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow and the organisers have also filmed a piece about the exhibition for BBC Two’s Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo.

Ranjan Saujani, Acting Chair of Navrang, said: “We are honoured to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. It’s a great way to acknowledge the hard work the team have put in to creating, developing and delivering a truly special exhibition.”

Nisha Popat of Navrang added: “To be nominated for this award is a remarkable achievement. We were delighted when we were asked to extend the run in Leicester and this is the icing on the cake. We’re so proud of the exhibition, how it’s grown and how it’s really touched the hearts of the communities involved.”

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Leicester’s Uganda Asian community have contributed immensely to the city’s unique culture since making it their home 50 years ago, and this exhibition tells the compelling personal stories of the people who experienced that upheaval first hand, and started a new life here.

“It is a vitally important part of our living history, and fitting that it should be shortlisted for this award.”