Kasubi Tombs

Kasubi Tombs 

The Kasubi tombs  is a historical and world heritage site in the Buganda kingdom where  ancient kings of Buganda are buried. Along with a number of other royal family members.  It is in other words a burial ground that is  not only  important mainly to the Baganda people but also to the rest of the world. Hence the reason it is listed among the UNESCO world heritage sites. It is among the 31 royal tomb sites with others in different parts of the Kingdom. A perfect addition to the Kampala city tour.

A great example of Africa’s traditional architecture Kasubi tombs were built using reeds, grass, wattle and other locally available materials. Because of the size and traditional norms of the site, this site, was listed among the world heritage sites. The Kasubi tombs are the biggest and widest traditional huts in the world. Unfortunately, in 2010, a fire gutted the site and since then it has been rebuilt back to its glory size.

Size of the Tombs.

Kasubi Tombs  sits on a 64acres piece of land on Kasubi hill.  One of the six hills that make up Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.  Kasubi Tombs are however not entirely filled with graves . Gardens and farms surround the these royal tombs. Some of the structures on this site is the circular in shape Muzibu Azaala Mpanga which is also the main building. Within this area are four royal tombs of Kings including Kabaka Muteesa’s.

Kabaka Muteesa I had built himself a royal palace in 1882 to replace the older one built in 1820 by his father Kabaka Ssuuna II. This palace however became a royal tomb too in 1884 after the death of Kabaka Muteesa . The other 3 tombs within that same area are Kabaka Mwanga II’s, Daudi Chwa and Sir Edward Muteesa. Kabaka Mwanga died in exile on Seychelles island and Kabaka Saudi Chwa II and also Muteesa who died in exile in London.

Other royal’s tombs are located somewhere else on the site.

All are built  according to the traditional norms and spiritual beliefs of the Baganda. The tombs are considered a spiritual center for Baganda and the Buganda kingdom.

Tourists on  the other hand do find the structures and all the different traditional practices at the site exceptional. All these practices represent the continuous existence of the African cultures and traditions.  It is important to note that Kasubi Tombs’ main significance as a historical site is the ability to protect the intangible values, the spirituality and the identity of all people of Buganda Kingdom.

The Kasubi Tombs is not only of historical and cultural significance to Ugandans but also the whole of East Africa. Craft shops, are available at the site if you wish to buy some of the cultural and traditional arti-facts of the Buganda Kingdom.