Mengo sinks Shs6 billion into Kasubi tombs reconstruction

With restoration of the Kasubi royal tombs nearly done, Buganda Kingdom has spent Shs6b on he project.
“The kingdom has so far spent Shs6b of which Shs4b was raised by the kingdom,” a statement released by Mr Dick Kasolo, the Kabaka’s spokesperson, and signed by information minister Noah Kiyimba said yesterday.
According to the statement, Shs2.5b was spent on the construction of a 63-acre perimeter wall, the official residence of the chief princess in charge of the tombs and houses of other caretakers, a solar and water system.
The kingdom also said government added another Shs12b.
“Satisfied with the accountability, government pledged another Shsl2b of which President Museveni handed over Shs300m on November 18,” the statement reads.
The kingdom said the Japanese government would also donate $500,000 (about Shs1.8b) through United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for the installation of fire-fighting equipment at the tombs.
“The kingdom of Buganda is working hard to ensure that restoration of the tombs is complete. However, it will not rush through the tedious work to ensure all the cultural norms required to complete the works are followed,” the statement said.
During a visit to the tombs in February, the kingdom Katikkiro, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga, expressed optimism, saying the tombs would be reopened to the public in the ‘near future’.
“It is very encouraging (although) it has taken us a while to get to this stage and the factors for the apparent delay are obvious,” Mr Mayiga said.
He cited technical works that required a lot of skill because the reeds that form part of the walls and roof call for specialised handling.
“The tombs are not a big hut, but the resting place of kings. There are rituals and values, lots of intangibles have to be considered. It is a huge task and you must do it carefully, diligently to ensure that you get out the right results,” Mr Mayiga said.

Heritage site

Unesco declared the tombs a a heritage centre for its master- piece of creative genius and an exceptional testimony of the cultural traditions. Kasubi tombs, whose reconstruction started in 2013, is the core of Buganda’s spirituality and a former headquarters of Ssekabaka Muteesa I. The tombs were razed on March 16, 2010.

It was established by demised King Mukaabya Walugembe Muteesa I in 1856.