United States Government Funds Preservation of Nyero Rock Paintings

Kampala

Today the United States Government donated $37,300 to Uganda’s Department of Museums and Monuments to preserve the ancient Nyero Rock Paintings in Eastern Uganda. The grant was provided by the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation and is a symbol of America’s commitment to the cultural heritage of the Ugandan people.

At the signing ceremony in Kumi, Deputy Chief of Mission Blaser Virginia said “Africa is home to some of the oldest and most diverse rock art in the world.  The U.S. Mission in Uganda is proud to partner with Uganda to support the preservation of this common human heritage…The Nyero Rock Painting sites have been severely endangered by various human activities including granite mining, charcoal burning, agricultural activity, and graffiti.  It is vital that we work with the communities surrounding these sites to educate those who would destroy these cultural treasures which hold unique richness for both historians and for the future economic development in the area.”

The aim of the project is to ensure long-term conservation of the sites, increase local community awareness, develop basic infrastructure around the sites, promote and market the rock sites for local and international tourism, and improve living standards of the people around the sites. 

The U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation provides direct grant support for the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of cultural expression such as music and dance in more than 130 countries around the world.  This is the fifth time Uganda received funding through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation since the fund's inception in 2001.

For additional information please contact:

Nanyonga Dorothy
Information Assistant
U.S. Mission Kampala
Email: NanyongaDx@state.gov
Phone: +256-414-259-791 x 6410
0784846334, 0752623508