Kasubi Tombs
The Kingdom had strong kings called the Kabakas who headed the most centralized monarchy in Africa before the British colonists. All the Land, the women belonged to his majesty the Kabaka of Buganda. During the colonial era, Bugnda remained a kingdom with unique privileges, but it was relegated to provincial status after Obote abolished the Monarchy in 1966. Though the kingdom was restored in 1993 with the coronation of kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi 11, the ausocratic power of the kabaka were not restored and he exists as a cultural leader.
The Kasubi tombs are one of the burial grounds/royal tombs of the Kabakas of Buganda. The site is an example of traditional Ganda Architecture, culture and living traditions. Built in 1882 by Kabaka Mutesa 1, this historical site was once the palace of the Kabaka of Buganda. Munziwazza-Mpanga.
According to tradition, the first Kabaka of Buganda was Kintu who is said to have come with his wife Nambi. Kabaka Kintu is said not to have died but to have disappeared into a forest at Magonga.
According to culture, each king was supposed to be buried at a separate site when he died and a royal shrine to house his jawbone which was believed to contain his spirit was to be established at another site. Mutesa I was the 35th King of Buganda (1856-1884) and the first king to be buried in his former palace (the Tombs) at Kasubi without removing his jawbone. Mwanga II who succeeded his father Mutesa in 1884 was the second king to be buried at the Tombs after his remains were brought back from exile (Seychelles islands) in 1910. His son Daudi Chwa II succeeded him at the age of one year in 1896 and ruled until his death in 1939. He too was buried in the Tombs. Daudi Chwa II was succeeded by his son Edward Mutesa II and the then governor of the Uganda protectorate. He died in 1966 in exile (London) and his remains were brought back and buried in the Tombs in 1971.
Location:
The tombs are situated five kilometers away from Kampala city center on Kasubi hill. Historically, Buganda Kabakas have always built their palaces on strategic hills in order to find easy ways to escape during an invasion and to control the major roads to the palace.
Unique Features:
Kasubi tombs has got magnificent features which represent the rich traditions and heritage of the Baganda people.The cultures of the Baganda lie in the Magnificent Tombs, where the bodies and spirits of their forefathers, rulers and traditions lie to date.
Bujjabukula: (Gatehouse)
This is a beautifully built gate, which is the entrance of the site. Constructed with wooden columns and a wall made of wooden woven reeds, the gate leads to a small courtyard with a circular house-House of Royal drums (Ndoga-obukaba) where the drums are kept.
Traditional Houses:
There are several houses built for the widows of the kabakas and other ritual purposes. These were built in the main courtyard.
Kibira (Secret Forest)
This is an area behind a back-cloth curtain where the real Tombs of the kabakas are.This area is also used for performing certain royal ceremonies like the new moon ceremony and the consultations of the mediums. In front of the curtain, there are raised platforms corresponding to the position of each kabakas tomb behind the curtain. Entrance to the “Secret forest” is only limited to the widows of the Kabakas, the royal family, the Buganda Prime-minister (katikkiro) and the Nalinya (kabakas official sister).
Muzibu Azaala mpanga:
This is a big grass thatched house measuring 14m in diameter where the Kabakas were put to rest. Muzibu azaala mpanga has 58 pillars in it symbolizing the clans of Buganda.
Art and Crafts:
Arts and crafts that are displayed and sold to the tourists as souvenirs made of local materials like baskets, mats and bags in different sizes and shapes.
Agricultural farms that involve the banana plantations and other cash and food crops of the Baganda.
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