Kasubi Tombs
Encyclopedia
The Kasubi Tombs in Kampala
, Uganda
, is the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas
(kings of Buganda
), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On 16 March 2010, some of the major buildings there were almost completely destroyed by a fire, the cause of which is under investigation. The outraged Buganda Kingdom has vowed to rebuild the tombs of their kings and President Museveni
said the national government of Uganda would assist in the restoration of the site.
people. In 2001, the Kasubi Tombs were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
The kabakas buried at the site were:
John Bosco Walusimbi, Prime Minister of the Buganda kingdom
, stated on 17 March:
The remains of the kabakas are intact, according to Walusimbi, as the inner sanctum of the tombs was protected from total destruction.
On 17 March 2010, His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda
, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
, and the President of Uganda
, Yoweri Museveni
, visited the site of the tombs. Hundreds of people have also travelled to the site to help salvage any remains.
During the President's visit, riots broke out. Security forces shot dead two rioters and five were reportedly injured. The Ugandan soldiers and police also clashed with rioters in the capital city of Kampala
. Forces used tear gas to disperse rioters of the Baganda ethnic group.
The destruction occurred in the midst of an awkward relationship between the government of Uganda and the Buganda kingdom, particularly in light of the September 2009 riots. Ahead of these riots, the king of Buganda Ronald Mutebi Mwenda was stopped from touring parts of his kingdom, and several journalists who were allegedly sympathetic to the kingdom and the rioters were arrested and are awaiting trial.
The administration of the Buganda Kingdom has vowed to rebuild the tombs and President Museveni said the national government would assist in the restoration.
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, is the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas
Kabaka of Buganda
Kabaka is the title of the king of the Kingdom of Buganda. According to the traditions of the Baganda they are ruled by two kings, one spiritual and the other material....
(kings of Buganda
Buganda
Buganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On 16 March 2010, some of the major buildings there were almost completely destroyed by a fire, the cause of which is under investigation. The outraged Buganda Kingdom has vowed to rebuild the tombs of their kings and President Museveni
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
said the national government of Uganda would assist in the restoration of the site.
Tombs
The royal enclosure at Kasubi Hill, also known as the Ssekabaka's Tombs, was first built in 1881. The circular site contained many structures, including the royal tombs of four Kabakas of Buganda. The tombs were held in straw thatched buildings. The site remains an important spiritual and political site for the BagandaBaganda
The Ganda are an ethnic group native to Buganda, a subnational kingdom within Uganda. Traditionally comprising 52 tribes the Ganda have a rich history and culture...
people. In 2001, the Kasubi Tombs were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
The kabakas buried at the site were:
- Muteesa IMuteesa I of BugandaMuteesa I Mukaabya Walugembe Kayiira was Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda, from 1856 until 1884. He was the thirtieth Kabaka of Buganda.-Claim to the throne:...
(1835–1884) - Mwanga IIMwanga II of BugandaDanieri Basammula-Ekkere Mwanga II Mukasa was Kabaka from 1884 until 1888 and from 1889 until 1897. He was the thirty-first Kabaka of Buganda.-Claim to the throne:...
(1867–1903) - Daudi Chwa IIDaudi Cwa II of BugandaCaptain Sir Daudi Chwa II, KCMG, KBE, was Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda from 1897 until 1939. He was the 34th Kabaka of Buganda.-Claim to the throne:...
(1896–1939) - Sir Edward Muteesa IIMutesa II of BugandaMajor General Sir Edward Frederick William David Walugembe Mutebi Luwangula Mutesa II KBE , was Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda from November 22, 1939 until his death. He was the thirty-fifth Kabaka of Buganda and the first President of Uganda...
(1924–1969).
Destruction
On 16 March 2010, at about 8.30 pm local time, the Kasubi tombs were destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown. The Buganda kingdom has promised to conduct independent investigations into the fire, alongside the national police force.John Bosco Walusimbi, Prime Minister of the Buganda kingdom
Buganda
Buganda is a subnational kingdom within Uganda. The kingdom of the Ganda people, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day Uganda, comprising all of Uganda's Central Region, including the Ugandan capital Kampala, with the exception of the disputed eastern Kayunga District...
, stated on 17 March:
The remains of the kabakas are intact, according to Walusimbi, as the inner sanctum of the tombs was protected from total destruction.
On 17 March 2010, His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda
Kabaka of Buganda
Kabaka is the title of the king of the Kingdom of Buganda. According to the traditions of the Baganda they are ruled by two kings, one spiritual and the other material....
, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda
Ronald Edward Frederick Muwenda Kimera Mutebi II is the reigning Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda, a kingdom in modern-day Uganda. He is the thirty-sixth Kabaka of Buganda.-Claim to the throne:...
, and the President of Uganda
President of Uganda
-List of Presidents of Uganda:-Affiliations:-See also:*Uganda*Vice President of Uganda*Prime Minister of Uganda*Politics of Uganda*History of Uganda*Political parties of Uganda...
, Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
, visited the site of the tombs. Hundreds of people have also travelled to the site to help salvage any remains.
During the President's visit, riots broke out. Security forces shot dead two rioters and five were reportedly injured. The Ugandan soldiers and police also clashed with rioters in the capital city of Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
. Forces used tear gas to disperse rioters of the Baganda ethnic group.
The destruction occurred in the midst of an awkward relationship between the government of Uganda and the Buganda kingdom, particularly in light of the September 2009 riots. Ahead of these riots, the king of Buganda Ronald Mutebi Mwenda was stopped from touring parts of his kingdom, and several journalists who were allegedly sympathetic to the kingdom and the rioters were arrested and are awaiting trial.
The administration of the Buganda Kingdom has vowed to rebuild the tombs and President Museveni said the national government would assist in the restoration.
External links
- Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Kasubi Tombs
- Kasubi Tombs Digital Media Archive (creative commons-licensed photos, laser scans, panoramas), using data from a Skybucket 3D/Plowman-Craven/CyArkCyArkCyArk is a 501 nonprofit organization located in Oakland, California, United States. The company's website refers to it as a "digital archive of the world’s heritage sites for preservation and education"...
research partnership - Fire Destroys Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Daily Monitor, 17 March 2010