Visit the Kasubi Royal Tombs

The Kasubi Royal Tombs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at Kasubi Hill one of the Kampala suburbs in Lubaga Division that is part of Kampala City. This cultural heritage site is a burial ground for the four former Kabakas of Buganda and some members of the royal family. It was constructed as a palace in 1882 by Kabaka Muteesa1 the 30th king of Buganda kingdom

The Kasubi royal tombs stand out as one of the premier tourist attractions in the bustling Kampala city. Accessing the royal tombs covers about 5 kms which takes about 15 minutes drive from Kampala city center. To get to the tombs, you can pass along the Makerere University main gate and then head to Nakulabye.

After the round about, take Hoima Road and drive for just a Kilometer. Turn left and drive up the Kasubi Hill. After reaching the top of the hill, branch off to Masiro Road, shortly you will see the locally crafted gate/entrance to the tombs.  On arrival you will get checked by the royal guards, fill your particulars as required, then a ticket is issued to visitors.

The entrance fee to the Kasubi royal tombs is about 20 Dollars and 10,000 Uganda shillings to Ugandans. The fee goes into the maintenance of the tombs and paying off workers at the site. You are also assigned a site guide to take you around after paying the entrance fee.

Things to Know about the Kasubi tombs

The Kasubi royal tombs stand out as the only UNESCO World heritage site in Kampala city,  This was declared by UNESCO in 2001 as the largest grass-thatched house in the world and these royal tombs are among the top landmarks that attract more visitors during the Kampala City tour.

Several traditional and spiritual ceremonies are carried out throughout the year, apart from the rare and unique burial ceremonies of the royal family members. Ceremonies include welcoming the moon, initiation ceremony that involves confirmation rituals and spiritual ceremonies that involves consulting mediums are exclusively performed.

The shrine attracts quite a number of subjects, traditional medicine men and women from different parts of the Buganda Kingdom who frequent there for blessings regarding their work from the spirits of Kings. The ruling Kabaka of Buganda Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi 11 rarely visits the tombs unless when he is traveling overseas and needs the blessings of his ancestors.

In 1938 renovations were made at the royal tombs by Kabaka Mutesa II where some modern materials like concrete, steel, and brick structures were used but ensured that the local materials dominated the architectural work.

These tombs also act as the go to place for those people who are interested in the back cloth mainly from the Ngo clan and also acquiring skills and the art of thatching mainly from the Ngeye clan (The Black and White Colobus Monkey).All the cultural work at Kasubi Royal Tombs are hereditary.

Challenges and the recent fires in the Kasubi tomb

On 16th/march/2016, the Kasubi royal tombs caught fire accidentally and up to date the cause for the fire is not known, Investigations were carried out and the reports are still in president’s office. In 2013, the prime minister if Buganda kingdom, OWE’K. Charles Peter Mayiga initiated a fund raising campaign to have the tombs renovated, fortunately the people of Uganda were positive and the money was collected. On addition, several bodies including, the government of Uganda, the japan government did their best to have the tombs restored being one of the UNESCO site in Uganda.

The reconstruction of the Kasubi Royal tombs has experienced funding shortages emanating from the managerial work. Despite being a national treasure, the Buganda Kingdom retained full control over the Kasubi tombs   Administratively, the tombs had delayed due to the in fighting within on who should control the tombs, hence creating the state of controversy within the management. Eventually the the exercise begun a year later and i was successful. the Tombs were officially opened to visitors last year. Dear travelers, for the best cultural experience book with Ganda Cultural Expeditions your number one travel partner.