By Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro of Buganda, visited the Kasubi Tombs to evaluate the rebuilding efforts that are still underway and asked Baganda and Ugandans as a whole to be patient till the project is finished.
“Just as you have shown remarkable patience for years,” the Katikkiro said, “I implore you to continue waiting until all construction activities are final. We must meticulously follow all cultural norms before reopening the Kasubi Tombs to the public.”
Despite the significant progress, Katikkiro Mayiga acknowledged that critical tasks remain outstanding, emphasizing the importance of completing these final steps with the utmost care and adherence to cultural traditions.
A tomb building has been in existence since the 13th century. The latest building was the former palace of the Kabakas of Baganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884. Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga.
The Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were significantly damaged by fire in 2010. Reconstruction efforts began in 2012 and are nearing completion, offering a beacon of hope for the preservation of Baganda’s cultural heritage.
Mayiga expressed great satisfaction with the progress, reporting that approximately 90% of the construction is complete, with most key elements already installed.
The circular main tomb building, topped by a dome, is a prime example of an architectural feat raised using vegetal materials such as spear grass, reeds, and wattle. Its extraordinary details and unusual scale attest to the Baganda people’s creative genius.
Additionally, as a masterwork of form and craftsmanship, it is an exceptional example of a surviving example of architectural style developed by the powerful Buganda Kingdom since the 13th century.
