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Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi

Uganda
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
  • Management activities
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Destruction by fire of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga 

Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Fire that resulted in the destruction of part of the property

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Corrective Measures for the property
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2014

Total amount granted: 2011-2012: 68,365 USD from the Japanese FIT for an Expert Appraisal Mission; 2013-2015: 650,000 USD from the Japanese FIT for the project: Technical and financial assistance for the reconstruction of Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, architectural masterpiece of the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, Uganda, World Heritage property in Danger.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Requests approved: 3 (from 1998-2010)
Total amount approved : 111,292 USD
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014

On 17 February 2014, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/356/documents. This addressed the requests of the World Heritage Committee at its last session as follows:

  • Revised timelines for the Kasubi Tombs reconstruction project: The State Party reported that timelines are being updated and will be ready as soon as the fundraising activity for the project has been carried-out in March 2014. No further details have been provided on technical details, revised timelines nor proposed benchmarks for the reconstruction of the property, all of which were requested. However, the report details the work started on the steel roof structures for the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga and states that the roof will be complete by May 2014.
  • Revision of the master plan and submission to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies: Although the State Party states that the Technical team has compiled information on different components of the property, which has informed phases of the draft master plan related to conservation of structures, no revision of the Master Plan has been submitted or appears to have been undertaken to cover issues such as urban encroachment, and un-regulated urban development.
  • Re-structuring capacity building as recommended by the 2011 mission:

Develop a fully-fledged capacity building strategy for submission to the World Heritage Centre for review: The State Party reports that urgent capacity building efforts have been undertaken but, for now, no further capacity building work is being undertaken until the fund-raising strategy is completed. Furthermore there appears to have been no development of a capacity building strategy or a re-structured approach to capacity building, as requested.

-  Develop the second phase of an interpretation and public awareness programme on the restoration of the property: the State Party reports that the first phase of a public awareness programme has been undertaken and that a second phase has yet to be finalized.

Invite an ICOMOS advisory mission to the property to provide technical advice on the reconstruction project and appropriate monitoring arrangements:An ICOMOS advisory mission has been invited to the property in May 2014 for technical advice through the UNESCO-Japanese Funded Project.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014

The strong commitment of the State Party towards the re-construction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga and the overall restoration and conservation of the property is noted. However, it is of concern that most of the detailed requests of the Committee have not been addressed over the past three years.

Even though fund-raising for the wider property is clearly a priority, the provision of detailed strategies and timelines should have been undertaken for the whole property in order to prioritise work and detail resource and capacity building needs. It is recommended that the Committee reiterates its request for these crucial details to be provided.

As final reconstruction drawings for the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga have not been provided, there remains uncertainty over the planned progress of the re-building of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga; specifically how it will be achieved, and within what time frame. Work has now started, without seeking ICOMOS technical advice and without clear approaches to capacity building, interpretation and public awareness as well as the follow up to the recommendations of the 2011 mission. Although a restoration strategy has been agreed-upon for the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, this needs to be augmented with details of the precise work to be undertaken and a timeframe for its implementation, as requested by the Committee in 2011, 2012 and 2013; and these should have been provided to the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies for review before the detailed re-building work commenced. There has been no progress on the second phase of the interpretation and public awareness programme on the restoration of the property, which needs to be seen as an essential support for the re-building project.

It is recommended that the Committee express concern at this lack of dialogue and detailed feedback on this most critical restoration project.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7A.26
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) (C 1022)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.21 adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
  3. Welcomes the continuing commitment of the State Party to pursue the reconstruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga and the restoration of the wider property;
  4. Expresses concern that detailed information on the planned work, and timelines for the reconstruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga have still not been provided, even though work on the supportive framework for the building has been undertaken;
  5. Requests the State Party to implement the recommendations of the ICOMOS Advisory Mission to the property (12-15 May 2014), in particular:
    1. Finalise a realistic, revised reconstruction project timeline with clearly defined benchmarks, and submit it as a matter of urgency to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
    2. Document the reconstruction process,
    3. Improve organisation, skills, equipment and security issues,
    4. Urgently reconvene the National Technical Committee to oversee the technicalities of the reconstruction project,
    5. Fully implement the current governance structure; and reassess the human and financial resources required to complete the Reconstruction Project, in particular to cover the Site Manager’s full-time presence on the property,
    6. Reconsider the current design of the firefighting system, which will have a negative impact on the visual qualities and spirit of place of the property,
    7. Agree upon the final Master Plan before implementing any new constructions; and reconsider the tall concrete wall recently constructed around the perimeter of the property as well as the proposed ‘living museum’ concept that may impact negatively on the OUV of the property;
  6. Also requests the State Party to invite a UNESCO/ICOMOS/ICCROM reactive monitoring mission to the property to consider the concerns highlighted by the Mission relating to: the lack of effective management and resources for the reconstruction project, the current draft Master Plan and its possible commercialisation projects, and unplanned work such as the perimeter wall and new buildings;
  7. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, including a 1-page executive summary, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
  8. Decides to retain the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
38 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-14/38.COM/7A and WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 38 COM 7A.14)
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 38 COM 7A.15)
  • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 38 COM 7A.31)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.34)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 38 COM 7A.21)
  • Colombia, Los Katíos National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.32)
  • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.35)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.36)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.37)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.38)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.39)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.40)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.41)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 38 COM 7A.1)
  • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.43)
  • Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 38 COM 7A.16)
  • Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 38 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.33)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 38 COM 7A.28)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 38 COM 7A.2)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 38 COM 7A.3)
  • Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 38 COM 7A.4)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 38 COM 7A.44)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 38 COM 7A.24)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 38 COM 7A.25)
  • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 38 COM 7A.45)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 38 COM 7A.5)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 38 COM 7A.20)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 38 COM 7A.22)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.46)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 38 COM 7A.18)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 38 COM 7A.29)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 38 COM 7A.26)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 38 COM 7A.19)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.30)
  • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 38 COM 7A.23)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 38 COM 7A.13)

Draft Decision:  38 COM 7A.26

The World Heritage Committee,

  1.   Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
  2.   Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.21 adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
  3.   Welcomes the continuing commitment of the State Party to pursue the reconstruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga and the restoration of the wider property;
  4.   Expresses concern that detailed information on the planned work, and timelines for the reconstruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga have still not been provided, even though work on the supportive framework for the building has been undertaken;
  5.   Reiterates once again its request for details and revised timelines for the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga project to be provided, as well as a critical path with proposed benchmarks for the reconstruction of the property, and urges the State Party to submit these to the World Heritage Centre as soon as possible;
  6.   Also reiterates its recommendation that the master plan be revised to address wider issues than the restoration project, such as urban encroachment and unregulated urban development that can pose additional threats to the property, and to include appropriate regulations, guidelines, and a work plan and timeframe for its implementation; and requests that these documents be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  7.   Further reiterates its request to the State Party to address the recommendations of the 2011 mission in relation to developing a capacity building strategy and submitting it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  8.   Urges the State Party to develop the second phase of the interpretation and public awareness programme on the restoration of the property, as an essential support for the re-building work;
  9.   Also requests the State Party to invite a UNESCO/ICOMOS/ICCROM reactive monitoring mission to the property to consider the technical details of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga re-building project and its timelines and implementation, related capacity building requirements, the revision of the Master Plan, appropriate monitoring arrangements and the second phase of the interpretation and public awareness programme on the restoration of the property;
  10.   Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, including a 1-page executive summary, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
  11.   Decides to retain the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Report year: 2014
Uganda
Date of Inscription: 2001
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)(iv)(vi)
Danger List (dates): 2010-2023
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2014) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 38COM (2014)
Exports

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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