Buganda has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and developing the cultural heritage at the Kasubi Royal Tombs as work continues on the final phase of restoring the historic site.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga made the commitment while inspecting ongoing works at the royal tombs in Kampala. He was accompanied by kingdom officials and cultural leaders.
Mayiga urged staff working at the heritage site to take good care of the newly restored buildings and facilities.
“I appeal to all cultural personnel at this site to protect and maintain these renovated facilities so that they continue to reflect the true image of the Buganda Kingdom,” he said.
Although Mayiga officially reopened the tombs earlier this year, he said some important work is still pending before the restoration project is fully completed.
Among the remaining tasks is the roofing of several traditional buildings, including the important Ndogabukaba house, which had been on the verge of collapse.
Mayiga said Ndogabukaba is one of the kingdom’s most significant cultural buildings because it houses several royal drums, including the famous Mujaguzo drum, which plays an important role in Buganda’s cultural traditions.
He praised Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II for personally supporting the restoration of the building and again appealed to those managing the site to ensure the facilities are properly maintained.
Other works yet to be completed include installing roofs on some traditional structures, improving firefighting equipment, constructing additional water storage tanks, building modern toilets, and laying traditional stones known as Masengere around the cultural houses.
Mayiga said combining traditional cultural structures with modern visitor facilities will improve the tourism experience, generate more income for the kingdom and create employment opportunities, especially for young people.
During his visit, Mayiga also welcomed a delegation of tourists from Denmark and school children who had come to tour the royal tombs.
He explained that the Kasubi Royal Tombs occupy a special place in Buganda’s political and cultural history.
Besides serving as a royal burial ground, the site was also where Muteesa I held court and received visitors from different parts of the world.
The Kasubi Tombs are the final resting place of four Buganda kings: Muteesa I, Mwanga II, Daudi Chwa II and Edward Muteesa II.
The tombs underwent extensive restoration after a devastating fire in 2010 destroyed the main mausoleum and damaged one of Buganda’s most treasured cultural heritage sites.
Today, the restored site continues to preserve the kingdom’s history while serving as one of Uganda’s leading cultural tourism attractions.
