1. KASUBI RECONSTRUCTION OF Tombs of Buganda Kings at
OUR HERITAGE,OUR FUTURE: Cultural diversity for Responsible development
International Heritage Conference ,in Entebbe, Uganda, September 2013
Jonathan Nsubuga
RECONSTRUCTION OF
Tombs of Buganda Kings at
KASUBI

2. Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Kasubi /Nabulagala
Plan of Kasubi-Nabulagala,1832
(Adapted from drawing by Sir Apollo Kaggwa)
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

3. Adapted from an 1832 drawing
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Kasubi /Nabulagala
The royal enclosure,1832
Adapted from an 1832 drawing
by Sir Apollo Kaggwa
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

4. Kabaka Muteesa I’s Palace
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Palace/Tomb
Built by Ssekabaka Muteesa I in 1882
Photo from Royal Geographical Society
Kabaka Muteesa I’s Palace
Muteesa receiving J.H.Speke and J.Grant in 1864
1905 ( photo taken ,
1905,photo taken 1911
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

5. Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Kasubi site layout
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

6. HOME TO THE FOUR SEKABAKAS OF BUGANDA
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Significance/symbolism
WORLD OF THE DEAD
WORLD OF THE LIVING
Interior of Muzibu Azaala Mpanga
HOME TO THE FOUR SEKABAKAS OF BUGANDA
DICHOTOMY OF EXISTENCE
The sacred and profane co-exist
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

7. Significance/symbolism
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Significance/symbolism
© Remigius Kigongo
Historical
Social
Educational
Natural
Architectural
Cultural - skills, traditions, beliefs
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

8. Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Fire March 16th 2010
© Dick Kasolo
© Dick Kasolo
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

9. TRADITIONAL/ CLANS OBLIGATIONS TO THE KABAKA
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (tradition)
TRADITIONAL/ CLANS OBLIGATIONS TO THE KABAKA
Skills to be used in reconstruction/capacity building
All clans contribute to the maintenance of the site. Some play specific roles in conservation:
Ngeye Clan
(Colobus monkey) : Thatching
Ngo clan
(Leopard) : decoration
Butiiko Clan
(Mushroom) : Gate guards
Lugave clan (Pangolin)
Royal Drums maintenance and beating
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

10. The Reconstruction (tradition)
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (tradition)
RITUALS
Specific Rituals are carried out at different stages of construction to appease the Ssekabakas
‘MASENGERE’- SEIZING OF THE HEAD
‘KUKANSIIRA’- CLEANSING
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

11. Research, drawings, presentations, meetings, exhibitions
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (architectural)
Research, drawings, presentations, meetings, exhibitions
Water colour sketch by Speke
Source: Royal Geographical Society
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

12. Research, drawings, presentations, meetings, exhibitions
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (architectural)
Research, drawings, presentations, meetings, exhibitions
Challenge: Restoring the know-how
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

13. The Reconstruction (impact)
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction (impact)
Positive
True recognition for the intangible values
Traditional maintenance skills recognised and reinforced
Large amount of documentation produced
International recognition for the site
Increase in the number of visitor
Protection of the boundaries
Negative
Role of the State Party (National Museum) misunderstood by traditional custodians
Conflicts with the traditional custodians
Limited impact for the local community
Research on thatch, 2006
Enlisted in 2001 under criteria (i) (iii) (iv) (vi)
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

14. The Reconstruction - conservation (social)
Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction - conservation (social)
A major challenge : restoring pride and vitality amongst
the stakeholders
Traditional management systems
Community awareness
Maintenance of structures that are symbols of heritage
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development

15. Strengthening the tangible to promote our intangible heritage
KASUBI ROYAL TOMBS RECONSTRUCTION
Conclusion
Conserving the community is the key
The traditional management systems need to be recognised, understood, documented and strengthened
The satisfaction of the stakeholders is a major indicator in the conservation process.
Research and documentation
Capacity building
Bufferzone to
protect heritage
Our heritage , our Future: Cultural diversity for Responsible development