Kasubi Tombs | Kings and History

The Kasubi Tombs in Kampala district are a sprawling area of almost 30 hectares on a hillside. The site is primarily used for agriculture and farming using traditional methods. The former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda stands at the heart of the site, on the hilltop. Built-in 1882, it was transformed into a royal burial ground in 1884, with the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga as its main building. This impressive circular structure is topped with a dome and houses four royal tombs. The site is an exceptional example of architectural achievement in organic materials, made primarily from wood, thatch, reed, wattle, and daub. Its greatest significance, however, lies in its intangible values of spiritual belief, continuity, identity, and tradition.

The Tombs of the Buganda Kings is a remarkable site located in Kampala City, that represents a significant cultural and religious centre for the Baganda people. The site covers an area of 26.8 hectares and is a place where traditional and cultural practices have been preserved.

The Kasubi Tombs, located within the site, are the primary place of worship in the kingdom, and the most active religious place. The site is also an important burial ground for the previous four kings (Kabakas) and serves as a religious center for the royal family. Important rituals related to Buganda culture are performed by the Kabaka and his representatives on the site.

The spatial organization of the site is exceptional, with traditional bark cloth trees marking the border of the site, leading through the gatehouse, and the main courtyard, and culminating in the large thatched building that houses the tombs of the four Kabakas. This is the best example of an existing Baganda palace/burial site.

The main tomb building, “Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga,” at the core of the hilltop, is a masterpiece of architecture that has existed since the 13th century. The latest building, which was the former palace of the Kabakas of Baganda, was built in 1882 and converted into a royal burial ground in 1884. The Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga contains four royal tombs.

The main tomb building is circular and has a dome, and is a major architectural achievement raised with the use of vegetal materials, including wooden poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattles. The Baganda people’s creative genius is evident in its unusual scale and outstanding details, making it an exceptional surviving example of an architectural style developed by the powerful Buganda Kingdom in the 13th Century.

The Kasubi Tombs site is significant for its historical, traditional, and spiritual values. It represents the continuity of a living tradition and is a major spiritual center for the Baganda people. The site’s structures and traditional practices are exceptional representations of African culture. The site’s intangible values of beliefs, spirituality, continuity, and identity of the Baganda people are crucial. It serves as an important historical and cultural symbol for Uganda and East Africa as a whole.

Unesco removes Ugandan kings’ tombs from endangered heritage list

Protection and management necessities

The Kasubi Tombs, managed by the Buganda Kingdom, have been declared a protected site under Statutory Instrument No. 163 of 1972 and the Historical Monument Act (Act 22 of 1967). The National Constitution (1995) further strengthened this legal status. The Historical Monument Act aims to protect the Kasubi Tombs from residential encroachment or any other purpose that could harm their character. The land where the Tombs are situated is titled under the Land Act (1998) and is registered in trust of the Kabaka (King) on behalf of the Kingdom.

To further safeguard the site, Uganda’s various Tourism Policies have been implemented. The Kasubi Tombs have an approved General Management Plan (2009-2015), and a Site Manager is in place. However, the site’s main threat is fire. A detailed Risk Management Plan needs to be developed to address this threat and ensure that site documentation is complete and securely stored.

To maintain the traditional building processes associated with the site over time, it is necessary to train young, educated people. The recreation of the main tomb building must follow agreed-upon principles by all key stakeholders, including the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the Buganda Kingdom, and the Government of the Republic of Uganda. The process of recreating the building must be systematic, based on evidence, and adequately recorded.