Uganda’s Kasubi Tombs

Architecture and Reconstruction following the Recent Fires

The Kasubi Tombs are situated on Kasubi Hill, five kilometers from Kampala’s city center. Four of the final Kabakas, or Kings, of Buganda are buried there. The main shrine’s rear is where all princes and princesses who are their direct descendants are buried. The Kasubi tombs, one of the 31 royal tombs located across the Buganda Kingdom; date back to the 13th century. There are further smaller graves located in Kyaggwe, Singo, and Busiro.

Africa as a whole and the Baganda people in particular value the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of the Kasubi graves. It is among Uganda’s most important historical sites. Owing to its cultural and national significance, the tombs were designated as a protected site even though they are still listed as property of the Buganda Kingdom under Ugandan law from 1972.

Its main tomb, known as Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, is the largest grass-thatched edifice on Earth and a magnificent example of native design. The primary tomb structure is composed of bamboo, wood, and grass-thatched roofing. It was carefully constructed in a distinctive way to set it apart from other buildings of a similar kind. After Kabaka Mutesa 1 (the 35th King) passed away in 1884, the main grass-thatched edifice served as his palace until being converted into a tomb.

The three kings after him elected not to follow a tradition requiring them to be buried in their own palace and were laid to rest at the Kasubi tombs. There are three primary sections to the tombs. The part containing the four kings’ graves is the western side of the main building. Numerous smaller buildings and graveyards can be found in the second area behind the main structure.

There is open farmland in the third portion. Ugandan Kasubi tombs The Kasubi tombs are approached via a wooden gate (Bujjabukula) adorned with braided reeds and a roof thatched with grass. The Olugya (courtyard), which is adjacent to the Ndoga-Obukaba (a round building where traditional drums are stored), is guarded by traditional guards at the entrance.

The smaller homes that were constructed for the kings’ wives, other royal family members, Nalinya, the spiritual guardian, and her aides may be seen, as one gets closer to the main courtyard. When we authored this piece, Beatrice Namikka was the guardian; however, following the fires that destroyed the graves, the Kabaka recently dismissed her.

There are various mats for guests to sit on and bark cloth adorning the walls of the main building/tomb. Visitors to the man building can also view the stuffed leopard skin and pictures of all the Kings. The Leopard was Mutesa 1’s pet. Following Mutesa’s passing, the Leopard went uncontrollable and murdered other individuals. In the end, it was murdered and had substance injected into its skin to keep it alive.

A few more noteworthy objects include the 52 Buganda clans represented by the rings of spears that keep the roof together. There are certain tasks assigned to each clan at the tomb. The Ngeye (Colobus Monkey) clan cares for the thatched roofs at the graves. As the tribe ages, the younger members inherit their talents and take over the responsibility of caring for the tombs.

History of the Baganda and the Kings buried at the Kasubi Tombs

Understanding the history of the Baganda people and their kings is essential to appreciating the cultural significance of the Kasubi tombs. Before foreigners arrived, the Kingdom of Buganda was one of the strongest in Africa. Beginning in the early 13th century, the Kingdom has a rich history and culture. The Bantu people, who migrated as far north as Southern Africa, include the Baganda. According to legend, Kintu was the first King of Buganda.

After impressing her father Ggulu (the god of the sky) with excellent achievements; he was given Nambi as a wife. Instead of dying, Kintu vanished into the Magonga forest.
Several Kings following Kintu ruled Buganda. Regretfully, we do not know the dates of their reign. Only from 1836 to 1856, during Kabaka Suuna II’s rule, were accurate dates documented. The Buganda monarchs preferred perching their palaces atop the largest hills in the kingdom. Go to the tombs of Kasubi.

They were able to see their domain clearly, identify potential opponents, and put an end to any internal uprisings thanks to this.Following their deaths, it was customary to bury the King’s body in one shrine and the Jawbone in a different location. It is still thought that their spirit was housed in the jawbone. Like most African tribes, the Baganda have the belief that a person’s spirit lives on after death.

Through a spirit medium, the deceased Kabaka would connect with his successors. As he was King or a member of his household passes away, a successor is selected right away and buried. To please the dead king’s spirit, a number of rites are carried out, such as animal sacrifices and gift-giving (including money).

There are four kings buried at the Kasubi tombs:-

From 1835 to 1884, Mutesa I. Born in 1835 or thereabouts, Muteesa 1 ascended to the throne in 1856. Being the first to be interred in the Kasubi tombs, he was the 35th Kabaka of Buganda. In the exact location of the Kasubi tombs, he constructed his palace. Mutesa was a formidable monarch, having more wives than any of his forebears.

He locked his brothers up in a big trench because he believed they posed a danger to his authority. Numerous they perished in the trench, leaving him unopposed. Kasubi tombs KampalaForeigners began traveling to East Africa in considerable numbers during the reign of Muteesa 1.

He thereby became the first monarch to be impacted by other cultures.After seeing the Arabs who had traveled all the way from the coast of East Africa in search of ivory and slaves, he converted to Islam. Mutesa 1 also had a strong fascination in Europeans. In 1862, he welcomed John Speke, the first white person to visit Buganda, and in 1875, he hosted Henry Morton Stanley.

The race for Africa was picking up speed at the time. Although Mutesa I permitted his Christian and Muslim allies to convert his royal staff, he made sure they never posed a danger to his rule.

Mutesa 1 was interred in the Kasubi tombs after passing away in 1884. Mutesa instructed his followers not to take his jawbone for a different burial before he passed away. He became the first king in the process to depart from a long-standing custom.

Basamula Mwanga II (1867 -1903):

Mutesa’s son Mwanga succeeded him following his death in 1884. He was the final monarch to lead a fully autonomous Buganda. When the influence of foreigners grew dramatically, Mwanga became Kabaka.

He slaughtered many Muslims and Christians who had converted to Christianity under his father’s rule in 1886 because he believed that Christianity and other foreign religions were a danger to his authority.

Following the widespread slaughter of the Uganda Martyrs, his Muslim and Christian leaders grew alarmed and banded together to overthrow him. After being driven into exile, Mwanga teamed up with Kabalega, the King of Bunyoro, to fight the British colonialists and reclaim his throne. His efforts were ineffective, and they were vanquished and banished to the island of Seychelles. On the island, Mwanga passed away in 1903.

He had changed his name to Daniel and became a Christian by then. In 1910, his remains were returned and interred at the Kasubi tombs. Once more defying long-standing customs, his burial at the tombs transformed the location into a significant resting place for monarchs to come.

Kabaka Daudi Chwa II (1896 – 1939):

In 1897, Mwanga’s one-year-old son Daudi Chwa took over as his successor after his death. Christian regents supported Chwa until he turned eighteen. He was not as strong as the Kings that came before him, and his reign was modest. The fact that Daudi Chwa was interred at the Kasubi tombs upon his death in 1939 added to the tombs’ notoriety and significance on a spiritual and cultural level.

Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa II (1924 – 1969):

Daudi Chwa’s son Mutesa II replaced him after his death. A disagreement arose concerning changes to the 1900 Buganda Agreement between the King and Sir Andrew Cohen. The Kasubi tombs’ reconstruction following this quarrel with the colonial government official, the King was banished to England.On the day of Uganda’s independence, the king assumed the constitutional role of president following his return from exile in 1955.

Mutesa and Prime Minister Milton Obote, who was more powerful, grew closer.Milton Obote ordered government troops under Idi Amin to invade his residence in 1966. The King absconded and made his way to England, where he remained in exile until his passing in 1969 in London. His remains were returned and interred at the tombs of Kasubi.

 Visiting the Kasubi Tombs:

In Kampala, one of the most popular tourist destinations is the Kasubi tombs. If there is no traffic, it takes roughly fifteen minutes to go from Kampala’s city center to the Kasubi Tombs location. Proceed through the main gate of Makerere University to the graves, and then turn onto the road leading to Nakulabye.

 Proceed approximately one kilometer on the Hoima road after the Nakulabye roundabout. Make a left turn and ascend Kasubi Hill. You will notice the gate/entrance to the tombs once you reach the very top of the hill and branch onto Masiro Road. Visitors receive a ticket after filling out their information and having their identity verified by the royal guides.

The Kasubi Royal Tombs entrance fee is approximately five dollars, or ten thousand Ugandan shillings. The money collected from the levy is used to keep the tombs maintained and to compensate site staff. Once you have paid the entrance charge, you are also given a guide to help you around.

Facts about the Kasubi tombs

The Kasubi tomb is the only UNESCO World heritage site in Kampala city.

Apart from the funeral rites for the family’s royal members, there are other customary festivities held throughout the year. The ritual of welcoming the new moon is one of the rites. Away from guests, some of the more esoteric rituals, such as consulting mediums, are carried out in private.

Traditional medicine practitioners from all across Buganda visit the shrine frequently in order to receive blessings for their profession from the ghost of the King. Unless he is traveling outside of the nation and needs the blessings of his deceased ancestors, the current Kabaka of Buganda seldom ever makes a trip to the tombs.

In 1938, Kabaka Mutesa II restored the tombs, including contemporary elements such as steel, concrete, and brick constructions while maintaining the traditional materials continued to rule. For those interested in traditional bark cloth from the Ngo tribe and grass thatching techniques from the Ngeye clan, the Kasubi tombs are the place to go.

Challenges, Conservation and the recent fires in the Kasubi tomb

The Buganda Kingdom desires to continue having total authority over the graves and all buried within. There is conflict within Buganda regarding who should be in charge of the tombs. The more modern royals want things done differently, while the traditionalists want to keep the old rites in place. Organizations and the government must be held accountable and closely monitor administrative operations in order for them to increase financing for the site. Maintaining the integrity of the Kasubi tombs necessitates careful maintenance, oversight, and ongoing replacement of deteriorating grass. Fortunately, talented local craftspeople continue to work and the grass grows. However, a substantial amount of money is needed to replace the grass and pay the artisans and other employees of the tomb.

Reconstructing the Kasubi tombs:

The tombs’ materials were always susceptible to large fires. Following the publication of this article, we can now report that a terrible fire that struck the tombs in March 2010 destroyed the main tomb and the smaller huts surrounding it. In the principal tombs, various symbolic mediums and the imperial regalia were destroyed. However, some buildings, such as the one holding the royal drums, remained standing.

The fires’ origin is still a mystery. The Commission that was established to look into the origins of the fires completed its investigation, but the public has never seen the report. Many are guessing and pointing fingers as a result of this. Some believe it was arson, while others believe it was just someone’s carelessness or a lightning strike. The Kasubi tombs were added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2010 as a result of this tragic incident.

The numerous rites and rituals that must be observed are the reason for the delayed development. In 2014, the Japanese government extended financial support to reconstruct the tombs while guaranteeing the implementation of contemporary safety measures.  To guarantee that the tombs are rebuilt, the Japanese have dispatched a group of specialists in preserving cultural assets to collaborate closely with the local populace.