The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to remove the Kasubi Tombs from the List of World Heritage in Danger. This decision, indicating the completion of restoration work, was made during the extended 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee, currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and set to conclude on September 25.
During its deliberations, the committee declared, “The World Heritage Committee…decides to remove the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) from the List of World Heritage in Danger,” marking a significant success in the preservation efforts surrounding this cultural treasure.
The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, an architectural marvel and cherished cultural and historical site, had been included on the world heritage list in 2001. Unfortunately, a devastating fire in March 2010 had severely damaged these royal tombs.
These tombs are the final resting places of Ssekabaka Walugembe Muteesa I, Danieli Mwanga II, Daudi Chwa II, and Sir Edward Muteesa II. The extensive restoration work on the tombs began in 2013 after Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II appointed Charles Peter Mayiga as Katikkiro (Kingdom Premier).
Described by UNESCO as a remarkable example of architectural achievement using organic materials such as wood, thatch, reed, wattle, and daub, the site’s primary significance lies in its intangible values related to belief, spirituality, continuity, and identity. The Kasubi site was initially established in 1882 during the reign of Kabaka Walugembe Mukaabya Muteesa I, originally intended as the Kabaka’s residence. However, in 1884, it transformed into the royal burial grounds, with three of his successors interred at the site, including Kabaka Mwanga, Daudi Chwa II, and Edward Muteesa II.
In 2010, the site, already a major tourist attraction in Uganda and on the List of World Heritage, suffered a severe setback when a destructive fire caused significant damage.
Over the years, substantial collaborative efforts have been made to address the challenges facing the site. These efforts included the reconstruction of the main tomb, Mazibu Azaala Mpanga, the meticulous restoration of the gatehouse (Bujjabukala), and the installation of an advanced firefighting system in the tomb area.
International initiatives played a crucial role in supporting the restoration project, with funds contributed by sources like the Japanese Funds-in-Trust, World Heritage Fund for ICOMOS advisory consultancy, Heritage Emergency Fund, and Norway Funds, amounting to a total of USD 947,665 or approximately 3.5 billion Ugandan shillings to aid in the restoration efforts.
Local efforts were also noteworthy. Following the fire, the Buganda Kingdom initiated a fundraising campaign called “Ettofali,” collecting contributions both locally within Uganda and from abroad. Concerns arose about the project’s financial accountability, with allegations of mismanagement of funds and resulting delays in reconstruction efforts directed at kingdom officials.
In November 2019, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga reported that around Shillings 6 billion had been spent at that point. The breakdown revealed that the government contributed Shillings 2.3 billion, while the kingdom raised an additional Shillings 4 billion through public contributions. A significant portion of the funds went toward constructing a perimeter wall, costing Shillings 2.5 billion, with the remainder allocated to various project-related expenses. Accountability challenges persisted, leading to reports in 2020 that the United States Embassy had decided to withhold USD 250,000 it had contributed due to a lack of financial transparency.
The embassy also requested the kingdom to reimburse the funds it had received.
Meanwhile, the restoration process faced various obstacles, including technical issues and cultural requirements, among others. The report presented at the convention outlined several completed corrective measures, including research into Ghanda construction techniques and materials, implementation of a masterplan, and drafting of a Disaster Risk Management Plan.
These measures led to the training of artisans, conservation of key attributes, and strengthening of the management system. In 2021, as a concluding act of the restoration project, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II personally participated in restoring the tombs by installing three round woven rings into the ceiling of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, symbolizing the 52 clans of Buganda.
Despite the removal of the site from the list of world heritage in danger, the committee has proposed five actions for both the government and the Buganda Kingdom to undertake. One of these actions involves converting the outlined corrective measures into ongoing management strategies to safeguard both the tangible and intangible aspects of the site.
The report concluded by requesting the State Party to submit an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of these actions by December 1, 2024, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session.
