Kasubi tombs are known mostly as the burial ground of the kings of Buganda. and famously visited by the tourist who opts for Kampala city tours and these can be arranged even if you book your accommodations in Entebbe near the airport. Ggadhfi Muslim Mosque, Nakasero Vegetable Market, Uganda Museums, Uganda Martyrs shrines, and ending it with dinner at Ndere cultural gala if you choose your arrival date over the weekend.
Kampala city tours
In December 2001, it was recognized and became a UNESCO World Heritage site and this was because it was described as one of the structures constructed using pure materials from the land. The site is located on 64 acres on Kasubi hill, five kilometres North West of Kampala city centre. The site is an important spiritual and political area in a way that it is a place where Buganda and its cultural representatives carry out their rituals. The Kasubi tombs were managed and maintained by the Buganda kingdom until 1966 when it was abolished by Apollo Milton Obote who was the then-president. In 1972, it became a protected site under Uganda law. The site houses 31 royal tombs which were built in the 13th century when the kingdom was founded. The main building to the tomb at the entrance is commonly referred to as ‘Muzibu Azaala Mpanga’ and was originally constructed using reed wattle, wooden poles, topped by a thick thatched dome and was built by the 35th Kabaka of Buganda Kabaka Muteesa 1 in 1882 to replace the one built by his father Omulangila Suuna II in 1820. It is believed that during the construction of Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the straw resting on 52 rings of palm fronds represents the 52 traditional clans of the Buganda kingdom. In 1884, upon the death of Kabaka Muteesa I death, the palace was converted into a royal burial ground. This site is so unique in its own way that it is a surviving example of an architectural style developed by the Buganda kingdom in the 13th century.
Muzibu Azaala Mpanga consists of four royal tombs as indicated below.
Kabaka Muteesa I- This King ruled between 1835-1884
Kabaka Mwanga – His rule lasted for 36 years that is from 1867-1903. He was exiled to the Seychelles islands and died and in 1910 his remains were returned
Kabaka Daudi Chwa II- He ruled from 1896-1939
Kabaka Edward Muteesa II ruled from 1924-1969. He died in exile in London and his remains were returned in 1971.
What to Expect at the Kasubi tombs
In 1882, the borders of the ceremonial site were established on the Kasubi hill and up to now the borders are still marked with bark cloth. Bujjabukula, a wooden gate that welcomes tourists to the tomb and traditional guards are put on the gate entrance commonly referred to as ‘Olugya’ in the Luganda dialect. The courtyard is home to members of the royal family including the sister to the kabaka known as Nnalinya and spiritual guardian and her deputy responsible for cultivating on the site and the administrative assistant commonly known as the ‘Katikkiro’. At Kasubi, some sections at the tomb are not accessed by everyone for example a sacred forest, Kibira because it is believed that all the spirits of the king dwell there. This place is therefore accessed by widows of the kings, the Katikkiro and a few selected members from the royal family but a reigning king (kabaka) is not allowed access to this area.
The Kasubi tombs
However, in March 2010 and June 2020, there was a fire outbreak at the site but with support from the government of Uganda, Japan and UNESCO and the kingdom’s fundraising drive termed as ‘ettoffali’, the site was protected and removed from the list of World Heritage in danger and the risk prevention scheme was set up to help.
Accessibility to the Kasubi Royal Tomb
The site can be accessed from Kampala’s main city centre via Makerere University to Nakulabye. At Nakulabye roundabout, drive to Kasubi and turn left to Masiro road straight till you reach the entrance with grass-thatched houses and with the signpost.
