Kasubi tombs were enlisted as a world heritage site in 2001. This was because of their significance as a heritage site to not only Uganda but the world. However, in July 2010, they were added on the list of those heritage sites in danger.
This resulted from the incidence in which the tombs were gutted by fire at 8p.m on March 16 2010. These tombs were originally constructed in 1882 as a palace for Kabaka Muteesa I.
The structure of the great hut, Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga represented one of the most remarkable buildings using vegetal materials in the entire region of Sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that four great Kings were buried in the same mausoleum made Kasubi Tombs a unique site and thus a tourist attraction. According to a report on the reconstruction strategy of the tombs by Buganda Kingdom, Government of Uganda and The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), “the whole roof collapsed, many objects that were kept within were destroyed. However, some objects were saved though some of them were severely damaged. These have been kept in a safe place at the Site.”
The report indicates that despite the destruction by fire, the Site can be reconstructed and the Outstanding Universal Value can be restored because the materials and the traditional practices, knowledge and skills are available. It’s been one year and approximately five months since Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga was gutted by fire. The money that was collected has been used to start the emergency reconstruction of tombs. These include creating awareness of the reconstruction, putting in place an exhibition at the tombs so that people still go to the site, building a reed wall fence around the tombs, to inventory the artifacts that were in the tombs, the damage inflicted on the artifacts and to put in place an emergency fire fighting system so that as the reconstruction process goes on, no fire incidences happen again.
According to the reconstruction strategy, the tombs have been reconstructed twice. “The design for the Kasubi Palace which later became Kasubi Tombs has been changed on several occasions. The scale of the 1882 model was reduced in 1905, on account of the non- sustainability of its huge proportions, with the diameter reduced to 31m. The 1905 model featured an interior space dominated by a large quantity of wooden columns that held up the steep roof that was approximately 16m high. Further remodeling of the building took place in 1938, also introducing non-vernacular structural materials.”
These two models were considered in selecting the reconstruction option. The final decision for the reconstruction is based on the 1938 model though with some changes in the roof.
The most recent contribution is from the government through the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry. It has pledged to offer Shs2b towards the reconstruction of the tombs. It is estimated that the reconstruction will be complete by 2012.
All in all, Wild Uganda Safaris as one of the leading tour companies in Uganda has a lot to offer in terms of Uganda’s Cultural aspects. “You need a cultural tour around Uganda!” Feel free to contact us.
Estherr
www.wildugandasafaris.com
info@wildugandasafaris.com
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