Buganda Kingdom has confirmed that the reconstruction of the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is finally complete, marking the end of a 15-year restoration effort following the 2010 inferno that razed the sacred mausoleum to the ground.
During a final inspection visit on Friday, Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister (Katikkiro) Charles Peter Mayiga, defended the long timeline, saying the process required strict cultural observance and specialised technical inputs.
“Kasubi was burnt to zero and rebuilding royal tombs demands rituals that cannot be rushed that why we have taken this long to complete the renovation work,” he said.
Mayiga said preparatory work began immediately after the 16 March 2010 fire, but full construction started on May 13, 2014 after cultural consultations were completed.
Mayiga said progress slowed at times due to a shortage of traditional thatching grass and delays in securing 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 told journalists in Kampala.
He added that finding the right elders and ritual custodians, whose roles are hereditary, also contributed to the delays.
“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,” he added before dismissing public claims that the project had been abandoned.
“People think we delayed because we took it for granted, but that is not true. We kept working throughout,” he said.
Funding for the reconstruction came from multiple sources, including more than Shs13 billion raised through the Mayiga-led Toffaali drive, Shs4.3 billion from central government, and additional kingdom contributions.
‘Opening soon’
Uganda Tourism Board commissioner Jackline Nyirakiza Besigye hailed the kingdom for completing what she described as a culturally delicate and nationally significant project.
“As government, we commend the Buganda Kingdom for seeing this through. The Kasubi Tombs are a national treasure, and we will work together to safeguard them,” she noted.
She added that government will improve firefighting capacity at the site and that Wamala Tombs will be the next heritage project on the joint restoration plan.
Tourism Minister Anthony Wamala said technical works, including roofing, drainage, water systems, cameras and toilets, were demanding, but the cultural rituals consumed the most time.
“We had many technical tasks, but the rituals made this project unique. Without them, the restoration would have been completed faster,” he observed.
According to him, only a few ritual elements remain before the ceremonial handover.
The Katikkiro confirmed that the official opening will be announced soon, with final touches underway, including the placement of the royal leopard, a royal table, a hand lamp and the streaming of the front entrance.
Mayiga said the kingdom is also developing a long-term management plan covering caretaker roles, periodic renovations, historical records, visitor procedures and tourism oversight. “Visitors will always be welcome, as long as they follow the right procedures,” he said.