{UAH} My visit to the Royal Kasubi Tombs - 3 ~ Ugandans At Heart (UAH)

{UAH} My visit to the Royal Kasubi Tombs - 3

My visit to the Royal Kasubi Tombs

- By Moses Wilson (June 2014)

As I have performed more research and cross referencing on the Royal Kasubi Tombs in preparation for my final article on this important historical site, I have discovered much that has further opened my eyes to the cultural richness of the Kiganda culture. I confess that very often my trips home are centered around Kampala and the modern amenities I am used to with quick short forays to visit family and friends in nearby villages or other national tourist sites. However, the Kingdom of Buganda is blessed with innumerable sites of cultural relevance that add to the very rich fabric of Kiganda history and culture.

I do not profess to be an expert in Kiganda culture so much of what I present below was culled from online sources cross referenced with interviews with respected Baganda elders both here in the US and back home in Uganda.

Historically, the Kabakas of Buganda built new or maintained inherited residential palaces throughout the Kingdom. These royal residences enabled the monarch to travel throughout the kingdom in relative safety and comfort. For the most part, each Kabaka built at least one royal palace during his reign in which he was eventually buried upon his death. The Royal Kasubi Tombs were themselves initially constructed as the royal residential palace of Ssekabaka Suuna II in 1820 and rebuilt by Ssekabaka Muteesa I in 1882.

Ssekabaka Suuna II also constructed a royal residential palace in Wamunyenye (in present day Kayadondo County) where he was eventually buried in what became "Amasiro ga Wamala." Ssekabaka Suuna II was the last Kabaka to be buried outside of the Kasubi Tombs.

For anyone who might wish to visit this royal burial site, it is located only about 30 minutes from Kampala along the Kampala-Hoima Road near the Town of Nansana. Consistent with the settings of other royal palaces, this site is on a hilltop with beautiful surroundings and spectacular panoramic and strategic views.

As with several other royal burial sites, the "Amasiro ga Wamala" are undergoing significant renovations and rehabilitation by the Government of the Kingdom of Buganda.

Returning to my tour of the Royal Kasubi Tombs, I was led through an area with a multitude of buildings that served a variety of purposes. These included residences for attendants and other functionaries, storage buildings, and buildings for agricultural purposes. One building also enclosed the tomb of a past favored Kabaka's wife.

All of the buildings in this area are undergoing significant renovations and upgrading to modern building standards with a keen effort to maintaining the historical aesthetics. The structures are being constructed using modern brick and motar with some modern conveniences inside. I was permitted to enter one of these buildings and photographed the interior ceiling which had been constructed in a traditional manner.