history 6 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda and Poland Launch Railway Exhibition Honoring WWII Polish Refugees
Uganda and Poland have opened a week-long exhibition at the Uganda Railway Museum in Jinja to mark the history of Polish refugees who arrived by train during World War II. The event highlights shared heritage and Uganda's tradition of hospitality toward displaced people. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-poland-mark-wartime-refugee-history-with-railway-exhibition-5449006
A new exhibition titled “Sybir – Prison of Nations” kicked off at the Uganda Railway Museum in Jinja City, showcasing the story of Polish refugees who journeyed by rail from Kenya to Uganda in the 1940s.
Organized by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda and Poland’s Sybir Memorial Museum, the display opened on Tuesday and will run for a week in Jinja before shifting to Masindi.
Ephraim Kamuntu, Honorary Consul of Poland in Kampala, praised Uganda’s enduring humanitarian spirit at the launch. He noted how the country hosted thousands of Poles between 1942 and 1945, with settlements in places like Koja in Mukono District and Nyabyeya Forestry College in Masindi District. Refugees there established schools, churches, and clinics, blending their culture with local communities.
Prof. Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum, led the Polish delegation and emphasized the value of this partnership. He appreciated Uganda’s warm welcome and hoped for continued collaboration benefiting both nations.
Cultural expert Barbara Babweteera stressed the need for better awareness of these events. She argued that documenting such history prevents the loss of heritage and keeps younger Ugandans connected to their past, including the Polish influence on sites like the railway museum.
Uganda Railways Corporation Chairman Daudi Migereko shared plans to upgrade infrastructure and promote rail tourism. He mentioned upcoming enhancements to stations and expanded services between Mukono, Jinja, and eastern Uganda.
The event celebrates Uganda’s role as a historical safe haven while pushing for stronger cultural preservation.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)