15 years later, Buganda fully restores iconic Kasubi Royal Tombs

Kampala, Uganda: The Buganda Kingdom has officially completed major reconstruction works at the iconic Kasubi Royal Tombs, marking a historic milestone in the restoration of one of Uganda’s most revered cultural heritage sites, 15 years since the tragic fire gutted them in March 2010.

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga confirmed Friday that Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the main tomb house and burial site of four Buganda kings, has been fully rebuilt with strict adherence to cultural, architectural and historical norms.

Mayiga said the project required time because tomb reconstruction involves complex rituals that cannot be rushed. “Kasubi was burnt to zero and rebuilding royal tombs demands rituals that cannot be rushed; that is why we have taken this long to complete the renovation work,” he said.

The Katikkiro explained that although preparatory work began immediately after the fire, full reconstruction commenced on May 13, 2014, after the kingdom concluded wide-ranging consultations with cultural leaders and ritual custodians.

Progress was further delayed by shortages of traditional thatching grass and lengthy procurement processes for essential materials such as fire-resistant paint imported from Germany.

“The reconstruction could not follow ordinary building procedures because tombs require specific rituals performed by certain clans and people recommended by their clan leaders,” he said. “We know how to build houses for kings, but tombs involve deeper cultural processes. We had to consult widely to avoid mistakes and we are very sure we followed the right procedure.”

Mayiga, however, dismissed public claims that the project had been abandoned, insisting that work continued throughout the years despite cultural, technical and material challenges.

Funding for the reconstruction came from multiple streams, including more than Shs13 billion raised through the Toffaali fundraising drive led by the Katikkiro, Shs4.3 billion from central government and additional kingdom contributions.

Uganda Tourism Board commissioner Jackline Nyirakiza Besigye hailed the completion of the project, describing it as a culturally delicate and nationally significant achievement.

“The Kasubi Tombs are a national treasure, and we will work together to safeguard them,” she said, noting that government will upgrade firefighting capacity on-site and begin the next joint restoration effort at Wamala Tombs.

The Kingdom’s Tourism Minister, Anthony Wamala, revealed that the unique nature of the project, explaining that while technical work, roofing, drainage, water systems, cameras and sanitation, was demanding, the most time-consuming aspect was fulfilling cultural rituals. He said only a few ritual elements remain before the ceremonial handover.

The Katikkiro announced that an official opening date will be communicated soon. Among pending final touches are the placement of royal symbols, including the royal leopard, a royal table, a hand lamp and the finishing of the front entrance.

As part of the enhanced preservation measures, the kingdom has installed a massive perimeter wall around the entire 63-acre site. Muzibu Azaala Mpanga has also been fenced independently to protect the sacred enclosure. A new water reservoir has been constructed to strengthen firefighting capacity and minimise future risks.

The Kasubi Tombs, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were placed on the World Heritage List in Danger in July 2010 after the fire. Following years of reconstruction and collaboration between government, UNESCO and the Buganda Kingdom, the site was removed from the danger list in September 2023.