The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, currently convening in Riyadh until September 25, has made the decision to remove the Tombs of the Buganda Kings in Kasubi, Uganda, from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
According to tourismupdate.co.za, this development comes after a successful restoration effort carried out in collaboration with UNESCO’s support.
In 2010, a destructive fire had devastated the Tombs of the Kings of Buganda at Kasubi, a site inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Subsequently, the site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, leading to the initiation of an ambitious reconstruction program. The program was led by Ugandan authorities, carried out in close partnership with UNESCO, and received financial support from the international community.
The reconstruction efforts were successfully completed by the summer of 2023, bringing the site to the desired state of conservation. The List of World Heritage in Danger serves to raise awareness about threats to the outstanding universal value of a World Heritage property and mobilize stakeholders to take action to preserve it. Inscription on this list triggers the development of a dedicated action plan and facilitates access to international financial assistance.
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Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, hailed the collective success of the reconstruction, giving credit to Ugandan authorities, heritage professionals, and local communities that played a pivotal role in the restoration process. The removal of the Tombs of the Buganda Kings from the endangered list is not only a significant achievement for Uganda but also a positive development for the international community, furthering the goal of better representation of African heritage on the World Heritage List.
The World Heritage Committee commended the reconstruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the primary funeral building, and the restoration of the Bujjabukala, the guardian’s house. Additionally, it highlighted the implementation of an advanced fire-fighting system and the training of local volunteer fire-fighters to prevent future tragedies like the 2010 fire that caused damage to the site.
The Tombs of the Buganda Kings at Kasubi, covering nearly 30 hectares in the Kampala district, hold cultural and architectural significance. The site includes the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, converted into a royal cemetery in 1884. Notably, it features four royal tombs housed in the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, an architecturally significant circular building with an organic construction using materials such as wood, thatch, reeds, and plaster.
The site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2001, is not only vital for its architectural value but also serves as a spiritual center for the Baganda people, preserving their beliefs and cultural practices.
