The Kasubi Tombs in Kampala, Uganda, is the burial site for four kabakas (kings of Buganda) and other members of the Baganda royal family. Because of this, the site is an important spiritual and political place for the Ganda people and an example of traditional architecture. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2001, when it was described as "one of the most remarkable buildings using purely vegetal materials in the entire region of sub-Saharan Africa."

Some of the major buildings there were almost completely destroyed by a fire in March 2010. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. As a result, the site was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in July 2010.

The Buganda Kingdom promised to rebuild the tombs of their kings. President Museveni stated that the national government of Uganda would help restore the site. Reconstruction began in 2014 and was funded by the government of Japan. After the buildings were restored in 2023, the site was removed from the "in danger" list.

Tombs

The World Heritage Site covers about 26 hectares (64 acres) on Kasubi Hill in Kampala, located approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) northwest of the city center. Most of the area is farmland where traditional farming methods are used. One part of the site includes a royal palace built in 1882 by Muteesa I, the 35th Kabaka of Buganda, to replace a palace built by his father, Ssuuna II, in 1820. After Muteesa I died in 1884, the palace became a royal burial place. This site is one of 31 royal tombs in the Buganda kingdom, which was founded in the 13th century. Traditionally, the body of a deceased king was buried in one place, while a separate shrine held the king’s jawbone, believed to contain the soul. Unlike other tombs, the site in Kampala holds the tombs of four Kabakas of Buganda:

• Muteesa I (1835–1884)
• Mwanga II (1867–1903) (died in exile on the Seychelles Islands, and remains returned in 1910)
• Daudi Chwa II (1896–1939)
• Sir Edward Muteesa II (1924–1969) (died in exile in London, and remains returned in 1971).

Descendants of these four Kabakas are buried elsewhere on the site.

The boundaries of the ceremonial site were established in 1882 on Kasubi Hill, also known as the Ssekabaka’s Tombs. These borders are marked by bark cloth trees (Ficus natalensis), which have helped protect the site from nearby residential buildings. The main ceremonial area is located to the northwest of the larger site. A gatehouse (Bujjabukula) leads to a small courtyard and the drum house (Ndoga-Obukaba), where royal drums are kept. A second circular courtyard (Olugya) is on the hilltop, surrounded by a reed fence.

The main central building (Muzibu Azaala Mpanga), about 31 meters (102 feet) in circumference and 7.5 meters (25 feet) high, is positioned on the edge of the courtyard, opposite the entrance. This circular building has a dome-like shape and was originally made of wooden poles, reed wattle and daub, and a thatched roof. In 1938, Kabaka Mutesa II of Buganda added modern materials like steel, concrete, and bricks, which are hidden behind traditional designs. A low arch leads into the sacred spaces, separated by reed partitions and decorated with bark cloth and mementos of the Kabakas. The tombs are located in a sacred forest (Kibira), hidden behind a barkcloth curtain. The floor is covered with lemon grass and palm leaf mats.

The courtyard is surrounded by traditional buildings, including "wives’ houses" for the widows of deceased Kabakas, who care for family graves. These houses are traditionally made of wattle and daub with straw roofs, though some have been rebuilt with bricks and metal roofs. Other buildings include tombs for royal family members. The site is also home to members of the royal family and officials, such as the Nalinya (spiritual guardian), Lubuga (responsible for farming on the site), and Katikkiro (administrative assistant). It is also a center for traditional bark cloth making by the Ngo clan and thatching techniques by the Ngeye clan.

The site was managed by the Buganda Kingdom until it was abolished by Prime Minister (then President) Milton Obote in 1966. It was later reinstated by President Museveni in 1993. In 1972, the site became protected under Ugandan law, with the land registered in the name of the Kabaka on behalf of the Kingdom.

The site remains a key spiritual and political place for the Baganda people. In 2001, the Kasubi Tombs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Destruction

On 16 March 2010, at about 8:30 pm local time, the Kasubi tombs were destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown. The Buganda kingdom has promised to carry out separate investigations into the fire, along with the national police force.

John Baptist Walusimbi, Prime Minister of the Buganda kingdom, said on 17 March that the remains of the kabakas are still there, as the inner part of the tombs was protected from complete destruction.

On 17 March 2010, His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, and the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, visited the site of the tombs. Many people also went to the site to help recover any remaining items.

Riots happened during the President's visit. Security forces shot two people (some reports say three), and five others were injured. Ugandan soldiers and police also fought with rioters in Kampala. Forces used tear gas to make the rioters leave.

The destruction happened during a tense relationship between the government of Uganda and the Buganda kingdom. This was especially true after the September 2009 riots. Before these riots, the king of Buganda, Ronald Mutebi, was prevented from traveling to parts of his kingdom. Several journalists believed to support the kingdom and the rioters were arrested and are waiting for their trial.

Aftermath of the fire

The administration of the Buganda Kingdom has promised to rebuild the tombs. President Museveni stated that the national government will help with the restoration.

A group was created to find out why the fire happened and why people died. This group gave a report to the Ugandan government in March 2011, but by April 2012, the report had not been shared with the public. By December 2012, a plan to restore the Kasubi tombs was started with help from other countries. The Buganda government now focuses on security during the restoration, which will limit access to the tombs.

After the incident, a team from the UNESCO Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage was sent to develop a plan to rebuild the tombs. Based on the team’s findings, the Japanese government decided to support the reconstruction of the tombs, remove them from the List of World Heritage in Danger, create a plan to prevent future risks, and send experts to help restore cultural items.