Kasubi Tombs - Photo by Nicholas Oneal
The grass thatched hut housing the Kasubi Tombs was yesterday burnt down and reduced to ashes by the fire that started at around 8:30pm according to eye-witnesses. The hut as seen in the picture was completely destroyed. The Kasubi Tombs are an active religious site in the Buganda Kingdom situated on Kasubi hill.
Four kings were buried at the Kasubi Tombs and they include:
- Muteesa I (1835-1884)
- Basamula Mwanga II (1867-1903)
- Daudi Chwa II (1896-1939)
- Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa II (1924-1969)
The tombs have been a major source of income for the Buganda Kingdom now that they are certified by UNESCO as a Heritage site.
As the fire broke out, police came to rescue the situation but a rowdy crowd hampered the situation. "We could not access the scene because of the rioters, so we could not save the tombs," ''Three fire trucks were damaged and a fire fighter injured by the rioters." Simon Musoke, the Chief Fire Officer, said.
A meeting for the Buganda Cabinet has been summoned by the Buganda Katikiro JB Walusimbi over last nights fire that gutted the tombs to decide on the reconstructing the site and also whether to carry our their own investigations in the cause of the fire.
