The Ugandan government has announced that a mission team from UNESCO, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will assess progress made, to prepare for the reconstruction of the Kasubi Tombs World Heritage Site.
p>The Ugandan government has announced that a mission team from UNESCO, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will assess progress made, to prepare for the reconstruction of the Kasubi Tombs World Heritage Site.
The grass thatched ancient tombs at Kasubi (Muzibu Azaala Mpanga) on the outskirts of Kampala , which houses tombs of the kings of Buganda, was torched by unknown people in March 2010. Consequently, the government set up the Commission of Inquiry into the fire and will submit the report in February 2011. The Tombs were a successful tourist attraction, mostly for the wonderful vernacular architecture of the Site.
Speaking to the press at the Uganda Media Centre, the minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Gabriel Opio said that “ the team of architects with experience in restoration of heritage sites, came to the country to assess the state of conservation of the Tombs and advise the State Party on how to ensure proper reconstruction and improve the overall state of condition of the property. It is my belief that they will recommend to the World Heritage Centre that Uganda is ready to begin reconstruction of the Site which will cost billions of shillings ”.
The minister announced that the World Heritage Centre approved an emergency request of US$71,342, which will be used for facilitating a National Workshop to sensitize the public on the reconstruction process, developing a plan to manage the envisaged risks at the site and fencing, among others.
By Moses Kalisa Seruwagi
