The bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Japan together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been and is still key in the renovation and restoration of the Kasubi Tombs, Tomotaka Yoshimura, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Uganda has said.
Kasubi Tombs, a burial ground for the Kings of Buganda and other royals was in July 2010 included on the list of ‘World Heritage Sites in Danger’ following an inferno that razed major structures on the site to the ground on March 16th, 2010.
On July 24th, 2013 another fire gutted one of the twin huts at the site, destroying traditional regalia that were rescued from the previous fire.
Following the misfortunes, the Kingdom of Buganda embarked on the laborious, costly journey to restore the site. Reconstruction started in 2014, funded by the government of Uganda with support from other states and agencies including the Government of Japan.
Speaking during an inspection of the fire-fighting system installed at Kasubi Tombs which was funded by the Japanese Government, Yoshimura said he is impressed with the fire fighting team’s tenacity and zeal to ensure safety of the site from fires.
“I can see that your fire brigade is doing a very good job to use the fire fighting system which is a result of the cooperation between Japan, Uganda and UNESCO to keep this important heritage site against fire tragedies. That is impressive for me,” he said.
The Japanese government contributed US$560,000 towards the fire-fighting project which was commissioned in May 2023 by the State Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka.
Giving his remarks today, Anthony Wamala, the Minister of Heritage, Palaces, Tombs, Tourism and Security in the Kingdom of Buganda said the Japanese Embassy in Uganda was among the first responders to lend a hand in rebuilding the site following the Masiro inferno in 2010.
Minister Wamala noted that they are doing all that’s possible to complete the restoration of the site this year.
“The nature of this site (grass-thatched structures and reed perimeter wall) is vulnerable to fire so a fire fighting system is one of the most important aspects of the renovation. It is very important that if we are to keep this heritage in the shape we have restored it to, we must keep fires at bay. We have the Japanese government to thank for the multifaceted fire fighting equipment that they gave us,” he said.
He also noted that the kingdom is optimistic the forthcoming Extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 10-25 September 2023, will review the progress made in the restoration of the Kasubi Tombs site and therefore remove it from the list of the World Heritage Sites in Danger as well as declare it safe and open for tourism.
“UNESCO officials came here in June, inspected the progress and directed that we work on a few more things. All the concerns raised in their submission have been worked on so we are hopeful that soon, the site will be put back on the list of operational world heritage sites,” Minister Wamala said.
The Ag. Commissioner of Museums and Monuments in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Jackline Nyiracyiza commended the cooperation between the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Tourism and Buganda Kingdom noting that it has enabled a seamless operation during the restoration of the site.
Nyiracyiza, however, cautioned the Fire fighting team against laxity, noting that compared to the previous firefighting drills and showcases, there is noticeable slack among the members in response to the fire alarms.
“The same goes for the wives of the Ssekabakas and other people who reside here, once a fire alarm goes off, please leave your houses quickly and check to ascertain your safety,” she added.
