One of the sacred houses at the Kasubi Tombs, the burial grounds for the four kings of Buganda and other members of the Baganda royal family in Kampala, Uganda, was destroyed by fire on June 5, 2020, UNESCO has announced.
In a UNESCO statement, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, Mr. Ernesto Ottone R. said they were in contact with the authorities at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities who were carrying out an initial assessment of the damage caused by the fire.
“We hope that, despite the constraints also imposed in Uganda by the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be possible to intervene first to analyze with precision the situation and what is needed, and then to consider solutions in line with the Outstanding Universal Value of the site,” added Ottone R.
According to UNESCO, the site is a major spiritual centre for the Baganda where traditional and cultural practices have been preserved.
“It represents a place where communication links with the spiritual world are maintained.”
