Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi

Destruction by fire of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga 

Fire that resulted in the destruction of part of the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4351

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4351 

Total amount granted: 2011-2012: USD 68,365 from the Japanese FIT for an Expert Appraisal Mission; 2013-2016: USD 650,000 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.

On 8 February 2016, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report for the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1022/documents and addresses the requests of the Committee as follows:

• A new, more realistic project timeline for the completion of the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga has been developed, which gives ample time for all work to be carried out. It is now estimated to be completed by December 2017. To date, the steel structure and application of fireproof paint have been completed. The 24 traditional ceiling rings were installed, but unfortunately, needed to be removed on the advice of the project architect, as they did not conform to traditional Ganda architecture. A new team of craftspeople was mobilized and work was reinitiated to make these important elements of the building;
• As requested by the World Heritage Committee in its last Decision, all developments at the property have been halted pending the completion of the master plan and its submission to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
• A site plan (map) has been produced showing existing buildings on the property, including new constructions (a new kitchen, toilets, etc.);
• The plans for the widening of the Masiro Road have not yet been completed. Nevertheless, any widening of the road would take place on the side away from the property. This has been guaranteed by the construction of the perimeter wall around the property;
• A new management structure has been developed, reflecting the addition of the Buganda Tourism and Heritage Board as site manager, and the presence of the National Technical Committee and the Reconstruction Committee. A new Buganda Minister of Culture has been appointed, who is aware of the importance of the intangible heritage aspects of the property and is working to improve management with this in mind;
• A proposal for risk mitigation, and in particular, fire management has been developed and is incorporated into the management plan. Work on the fire-fighting system has been halted in accordance with the Committee’s request, until the Master Plan is complete and the equipment purchased.

The State Party further reports that the Bujjabukua, one of the most authentic architectural elements at the property is in need of urgent conservation due to deterioration and deformation. Plans are being developed to carry out this work once the pressure from the work to reconstruct the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga subsides.

The State Party has halted developments at the property pending the completion of the Master Plan (MP), requested since 2012. This is to ensure that conservation work respects Ganda architectural principles, materials, and building traditions, and to ensure a harmonized aesthetic at the property, and that development proposals, such as the provision of a reservoir and a fire-fighting system, alterations to the entrance, implementation of a visitor route or development of tourism facilities, are all undertaken in an integrated way within an agreed framework.  The development of the MP is also part of the corrective measures to be undertaken to reach the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the World Heritage List in Danger (DSOCR). It is urgent for this MP to be completed in order that work can be resumed. It is recommended that the Committee express concern that no details have been provided as to when this Plan will be prepared or completed.

All the buildings have not been included to the site plan submitted (e.g. the solar panels and electricity station under construction during the 2015 mission), which needs to be amended as it should be part of the overall MP.

Ahead of the MP, the expansion of Masiro Road will take place on the side opposite the property. Although this is considered positive in principle, the site managers should continue monitoring the situation to ensure that the bark cloth trees, which line the property, but are actually located outside the new constructed perimeter walls, are protected. Maintenance of the perimeter wall and its reed covering will remain an important issue. Detailed plans of the road are needed.

The revised timeline for the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga with completion at the end of 2017 is considered adequate. However, this timeframe is not related to the MP and cannot begin until the MP has been approved and is in place.

The episode with the rings, installed and then removed, illustrates the need to ensure closer communications and consultations between the architect, the traditional craftspeople, the representatives of the Buganda Kingdom, and the community, in order to respect the traditional practices and intangible cultural heritage of the Kingdom. The successful careful monitoring, in this case, is well noted.

The halting of all work, including conservation on the Bujjabukua, gives cause for concern given its importance and state of deterioration.

The work on the firefighting system was halted to ensure that the equipment fits into the overall concept for the property. It needs to be designed and installed contemporaneously with the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, as recommended by the 2012 mission. For this reason, the Advisory Bodies should review as soon as possible the proposed firefighting system. The Japan Funds-in-Trust project (JFIT), which foresaw the purchase of this equipment, has expired (prior to completion) and an extension request was submitted to the donor and is currently being reviewed.

The Disaster Risk Management Plan is still a skeleton and needs to be more detailed, with specific actions and clearly defined roles and responsibilities before, during, and after a fire, as well as other possible hazards. It should be developed in line with the guidelines provided in the UNESCO Resource Manual “Managing Disaster Risks for World Heritage”.

Regarding the new management structure, progress has been made. As for other properties with a complex traditional management structure, there is need to ensure opportunities for open and clear communications among all stakeholders, including the traditional custodians, the representatives of Buganda Kingdom, the Government (including the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO), the Tourism and Heritage Board, the tour guides and others working on the property.  Efforts should be made within the new management structure to ensure that all concerns related to conservation and social issues are dealt with in a positive manner.

It is also important to recognize that the Buganda Tourism and Management Board must prioritize the conservation of the attributes of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), including the intangible heritage, over tourism related activities. A careful balance must be made between meeting the needs of the traditional custodians and an improved visitor experience. A planned cultural village, which would take away some of the existing farmland within the property, could have an adverse impact on the OUV, and must be reviewed as part of the overall MP.

A Tour Guiding Manual for Kasubi Tombs was produced as part of the JFIT project and distributed locally to all tour guides (https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1452/). The production of this manual is a positive development, and work is ongoing to develop guidelines for Ganda thatching, both part of the DSOCR. 

In conclusion, the need for the MP to be completed is of the utmost importance as it is this that will unlock progress with the conservation of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, and Bujjabukua, with the firefighting equipment project and with visitor management and road development projects on the property as all of these need to be taken forward in a coordinated way.