Decolonial Historiography: Evidence, Ethics, and Archive Politics

Kakungulu Samuel J.

Faculty of Education, Kampala International University, Uganda

                                                               ABSTRACT
This paper examines decolonial historiography through the interconnected dimensions of evidence, ethics, and archive politics, emphasizing the need to challenge colonial epistemological structures that continue to shape historical production. It argues that conventional archival practices have historically privileged dominant narratives while marginalizing Indigenous, local, and alternative knowledge systems. The study explores the conceptual foundations of decolonial history by emphasizing epistemic pluralism, methodological reflexivity, and counter-archival practices as essential tools for reconstructing suppressed histories. Furthermore, it investigates the ethical responsibilities involved in engaging with Indigenous and marginalized communities, particularly issues relating to consent, representation, reciprocity, and accountability. The paper also examines the politics of archives, highlighting how structures of power influence access, preservation, and interpretation of historical materials. Through selected case studies, the study demonstrates practical applications of decolonial methodologies and illustrates how community-centered approaches contribute to epistemic justice. Ultimately, the paper contends that decolonial historiography requires transparency, community validation, and inclusive methodological frameworks to create more equitable and representative historical narratives.

Keywords: Decolonial Historiography, Epistemic Pluralism, Counter-Archives, Archive Politics and Epistemic Justice.

CITE AS: Kakungulu Samuel J. (2026). Decolonial Historiography: Evidence, Ethics, and Archive Politics. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW, COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGES, 6(2):35-43
https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJLCL/2026/6.2.3543