Interesting facts about Kasubi Tombs : The Kasubi Tombs are a Buganda historic site and burial grounds for Buganda kings. The tombs located at Kasubi Hill in Kampala; Uganda were established by the 30th king of Buganda Kabaka Mutesa 1 in 1836. Fun fact Kasubi was a palace and that’s what Mutesa turned into a burial ground for the kings.
The tombs are constructed from local materials and before the big fire in 2010 the tombs were 100% made of local materials grass, reeds, and wood with the main tomb being the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga tomb; its also the largest and most stand out of all the tombs in the area.
As of 2024, four Buganda kabakas are buried at these tombs; these are Kabaka Mutesa I 1836-1884, Kabaka Mwanga II 1884-1903, Kabaka Daudi Chwa II 1897-1939 and Kabaka Edward Mutesa II 1939-1966.
The Kasubi Tombs have a great significance to the people of Uganda especially those who belong to the Buganda kingdom known as the Baganda. These tombs represent not only the Buganda heritage, royalty, traditions, connection to ancestors and culture identity.
The tombs can be visited every day according to the schedule. before the fire in 2010, the tombs were open to the public almost 24/7, but after the fire and the restoration works, there is now a schedule for the visitors. This new schedule is to ensure safety of the tombs and more controlled crowds in the tombs during the day. Indeed even the security at the tombs is now tighter and more efficient than it was before the fire.
On a visit to the tombs the visitors will have the opportunity to tour and explore the tombs, learn about the four kings buried at the tombs as well as learn about the Buganda kingdom royals and culture; usually after the tour you get to enjoy some tradition performances to help you further understand the kingdom of Buganda.
The tombs open at 8am for the visitors and closes at 5pm every day. The entrance fees to the tombs are 3 dollars for all non-Ugandans and half of that for Ugandans. These fees are paid at the entrance when you get to the tombs.
When you get to the tombs, you’re sure to experience of the Buganda kingdom and you will understand the richness of Uganda’s kingdom culture. The tombs can be visited by people of all ages from little children to the adults. For the children though they have to have a supporting adult with them at all times.
The visits at the tomb are guided and done in groups of not more than 10 people, usually its less but if its to go high; it won’t be beyond 10 people.
The tombs were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and it’s for this reason that when they tombs got burnt, UNESCO was one of the partners of the Buganda kingdom to rebuild and restore the 19th century tombs. The government of Uganda and the local communities also supported the rebuilding and restoration.
The tombs are managed by the Buganda kingdom in collaboration with the Ugandan government and support from the local communities, especially those that a next to the tombs.
The tomb symbols include the spear, shield and the drum which are very sacred items to the Buganda culture. The drum was actually used to communicate and entertain in the olden days as the spear was used to fight and the shield for protection during wars or hunting trips.
The tombs however, also have other artifacts connected to the Buganda culture that you can enjoy seeing on your visit to the tombs.
