Rebuilding Lives: 50 Years of Ugandan Asians in Loughborough will mark the anniversary of the exodus in 1972 by those fleeing the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, and also celebrate the contribution the Asian community has made to the town's culture and community over the last half century.
The Charnwood Museum display includes artefacts, personal items and photographs donated to the exhibition by people from Loughborough and throughout the UK, from people who whose families made the traumatic journey from Uganda to start a new life.
It is being organised by Leicestershire arts organisation, Navrang who was awarded just over £100,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a series of regional events including this exhibition.
Nisha Popat, of Navrang, said: "As well as commemorating the resilience and resourcefulness of thousands of people who were displaced and forced to start all over again, the exhibition will also celebrate the huge contribution that Loughborough's Ugandan Asian population has made to identity and culture over the past 50 years.
We're so grateful to the Ugandan community here in Loughborough and across the UK for sharing their stories and items with us.
"The response we've had has been overwhelming. Over the past few months, as well as collecting stories and items, we've also managed to reunite long lost friends and family – it's been amazing.
"We want to say a big thank you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Charnwood Museum and Leicestershire County Council for their support.
Supported by Loughborough-based museums expert and curator Professor Graham Black, the organisation has brought together the exhibition items, along with dozens of recordings of personal accounts by people who fled Uganda, usually at very short notice and, in many cases, with only a single suitcase of belongings.
Interactive displays will allow visitors to hear the first-hand stories linked to everyday objects which came to symbolise part of their perilous voyage in search of a new life.
It will be on display from October 15th and run until February 4th. Charnwood Museum is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm.