Roofing of Kasubi tombs starts

Buganda Kingdom premier Charles Peter Mayiga yesterday announced the commencement of the roofing of Kasubi tombs, the last step into its restoration.

“We are going to start the thatching following the norms and practices that are acceptable in the situation, using the rightful clan virtues. This is the last of the steps-all processes,” Mr Mayiga said in an audio statement released by his media team.

The Kasubi tombs were torched on March 16, 2010, in a mysterious fire, only nine years after it had been declared by Unesco as a world heritage facility. It was established by King Mukaabya Walugembe Muteesa I in 1856.

The Mausoleum contains remains of four former kings of Buganda, namely Mwanga, Muteesa I, Daudi Chwa, and Sir Edward Muteesa II.

Restoration of the royal tombs remains the biggest challenge and debt owed to the people of Buganda by the Mayiga-led administration, which eight years ago, when he became premier, had given a deadline of one year to have the structures redone.

But in his statement, Mr Mayiga, assured the people of Buganda that as he stated early this year, the tombs could even be complete by the end of the year.

“Eleven years ago since the tombs were burnt, we have worked tirelessly to restore them; drawing on a variety of strategies, fundraising, consulting technical teams and traditional leaders,” Mr Mayiga said.

Kasubi tombs is an iconic structure in the heritage of the Baganda, and embodies the culture and spiritual beliefs of the people.

Its delayed restoration has been criticized among the Baganda, with some accusing officials of misappropriating the funds. 
Through a fundraising drive dubbed Ettoffaali and other sources, the Kingdom raised and spent Shs6.06b, with government contributing Shs2.3b of the sum, and pledging more Shs1.7b. 

The Japanese government will also contribute $500,000 (about Shs1.7b)through Unesco and will be used to buy firefighting equipment to be installed once reconstruction is completed. 

In an accountability by Mr Mayiga in 2019, of the Shs4b raised by the kingdom, Shs2.5b was spent on building a perimeter wall covering 64 acres to protect the area from land grabbers and other encroachers; other caretakers’ houses; and a solar water system, among others.

Mr Mayiga then explained, “This (mausoleum) is restored following the norms and certain practices in respect of certain beliefs because it symbolises the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the people of Buganda.” 

He commended the people of Buganda for their patience with the delayed restoration because Kasubi tombs is one of the iconic installations in the kingdom. He also commended the restoration committee headed by businessman Kaddu Kiberu.

He said during the hectic work, the kingdom has been guided directly by Kabaka Ronald Mutebi since March 2010. 

Government has provided more than Shs2.3b and is working on the construction of the guard house or Bujjabukula at the entrance to the tombs. Mr Mayiga said the Bujjabukula still maintains the materials that were first used when Kabaka Muteesa I first built it.