Decision 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.