Buganda Kingdom has said they have so far spent a total of Shs6.064 billion to restore the Kasubi Royal Tombs in Kampala.
These tombs which are the official burial grounds for Buganda kings were gutted by fire on March 16, 2010.
In a statement released by the kingdom spokesperson, Noah Kiyimba, out of the six billion shillings, four has been contributed through the Ettofaali fundraising campaign started by the kingdom premier, Charles Peter Mayiga.
“Out of Shs4 billion raised by the kingdom, Shs2, 594,879,605 was spent on building a perimeter wall covering 63 acres to protect the land from land grabbers and other encroachers; other caretakers’ houses, solar and water systems among others,”Kiyimba said in a statement.
The information minister at Mengo noted that government following a cabinet decision contributed two billion shillings and pledged another amount of which President Museveni recently handed over 300 million shillings.
“The metallic roof structure which supports the rafters of Muzibu Azaala Mpanga is painted with rust-free and fireproof paint imported from Germany. The Japanese government through a grant of US$ 500,000 to UNESCO will be used to buy fire-fighting equipment which will be installed at the completion of the works,” he added.
Kiyimba noted that they are working around the clock to ensure the restoration works are completed but noted that they will have to ensure all cultural norms required and completed to the latter before getting hands off the Kasubi tombs.
About the tombs
The Kasubi Tombs are located five kilometres away from the city centre on Kasubi hill and are the burial grounds for four of the last Buganda kings.
Built in the 13th century, the Kasubi Tombs are one of the 31 royal tombs spread around the kingdom and because of their cultural and national value, they became a protected site by Ugandan law in 1972.
The tombs became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and are some of the most visited places by tourists in Uganda.
