The Kasubi Tombs are a world heritage site located on the suburbs of Kampala. The Kasubi tombs are the burial grounds for the Kabakas (Kings of Buganda), the largest Kingdom in Uganda and one of the powerful kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa.
Kasubi Hill was originally called Nabulagala. When Muteesa I established his palace on the hill in 1882, he changed its name to Kasubi, a village in Kyaggwe where he grew up. This is a traditional site in an urban setting 5kms to the south-west of Kampala City, the capital of Uganda.
Currently the tombs house the remains of the four past kings of the Buganda Kingdoms;
- Ssekabaka Muteesa I
- Ssekabaka Daniel Bassamula Ekkere Mwanga
- Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa
- Ssekabaka Fredrick Luwangula Muteesa II
All About the Tombs
Situated on a hill with in Kampala, The Kasubi tombs tourism site is an active religious place in the Buganda Kingdom. This place is a burial ground for the previous 4 Kabakas of Buganda which makes it a very important religious centre for the royal family, a place where the Kabaka and his representatives frequently carry out important rituals related to the Ganda culture. It is an outstanding example of traditional Ganda architecture and an exceptional testimony of the living Buganda Traditions. For Uganda and the East African region as a whole, the site represents an important symbol for its history and culture. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 2001.
At Kasubi and in all other royal tombs, there is an area behind a bark cloth curtain known as Kibira or forest from where certain secret ceremonies are performed. At the Kasubi tombs, the forest is the area where the real tombs of the Kabaka are, while in front of the curtain there are raised plat forms corresponding to the position of each Kabaka’s tomb behind the curtain.
With the four Kabakas buried at the same site, the Kasubi Tombs became to be known as an important Shrine in Buganda’s history. Each prince and princess who is a descendant to any of these four Kings is buried at Kasubi behind the main shrine. More so, the site has also become culturally important as the cemetery of the royalty of the Buganda Kingdom.
The entrance gate of the site house is called Bujjabukula. Traditionally, guards were hiding within the house behind a woven reed partition day and night in order to control access. This gate house was constructed using wooden columns supporting a thatched roof, with walls made of wooven reeds. The Bujjabukula leads to a small courtyard which contains the Ndoga- Obukaba, a circular house in which the royal drums are kept. From this forecourt, one enters the main courtyard (Olugya) enclosed by a reed fence and several houses built for the widows of the Kings and for other Ritual purposes. The entrance into this county yard is a striking experience as on faces the main tomb building known as Muzibu-Azaala- Mpanga, which is the architectural masterpiece of the site.
The thatching technique at the kasubi Tombs is quite unique and can hardly be compared to any kind of thatching technique from different continents. The grass is prepared in conical bundles which are laid onto the roof structure without being tied, except for the first layers at the bottom. When one of these bundles is rotten, it can simply be pulled out and replaced. This interesting technique makes the huge maintenance task of the thatched roofs much easier. The thatching is carried out by the members of the Ngeye Clan( Colobus monkey clan), who are the only people allowed to do the work.
Special rules are respected when fixing a roof. The widows for example are not allowed to enter the building when it is being thatched as it is believed that their presence would cause leakage. Pregnant ladies are also not allowed inside during repairs. Similarly the thatchers are not allowed inside during repairs. They are not supposed to have sexual intercourse during the thatching period. The same prohibition is observed by the decorators of the poles who belong to the leopard clan. The fabric made from the soft bark of the fig tree is one of the fascinating skills among the Baganda.
The physical features of the Kasubi Tombs only represent a slight fraction of the traditional life there. The rich intangible heritage of the site is so important to the continuity of its heritage value. The tombs and the entire site environment have a strong spiritual and social significance. The rich decorative features, invested with spiritual values reflect the interaction between nature and culture between the spirits and the living people. forexample there are the fifty two rings of spear grass that were binded which support the great roof of the tombs. They are numbered to represent the Buganda clans which are 52 in number.
Apart from the Royal burial ceremonies, other traditional rituals are carried out throughout the year. They include; the new moon ceremony and the consultation of the mediums. But the main spiritual life is not visible to the ordinary visitor as many ceremonies are performed secretly inside the buildings. This aspect of the traditional is well known by the population and it is still respected. The Baganda also observe the myths concerning the origin of death. People believe that every person’s death has a spiritual origin. At Kasubi when a King or a member of his family dies, they immediately enthrone a success after the burial and perform rituals to appease the spirits. Animals are sacrificed and gifts of various kinds including money are deposited in the numerous shrines.
The Tombs of the Buganda Kings at Kasubi are located on a hill in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. They occupy a 27 hectare site that has been used by the Baganda for its Royal Tombs since the 13th century, and represents the spiritual heart of the Baganda people. Sadly, the tombs were completely destroyed by fire in March 2010, just eight years after the site was inscribed on the world heritage list. Fortunately, the original burial system of the Kabakas (kings) of Buganda is being maintained and the building’s traditional architectural craftsmanship and the required skills are still available to allow it to be recreated.
Insider Tip
You can book a guided tour around Kampala and take an insider trip through the museum.