Decision 41 COM 7A.31

Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) (C 1022)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.8, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
3. Welcomes the progress that has been made in installing the roof rings as part of the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, even though progress has been slower than anticipated;
4. Also welcomes the efforts made by the State Party for instituting training programmes for younger artisans and further encourages these efforts, while noting that high priority should be given to resolving cash flow problems that have impacted adversely on the workers;
5. Further welcomes the initial work undertaken on the Master Plan and also encourages the State Party to continue this work, with support and guidance from the Advisory Bodies as a matter of high priority in the light of the urgent need to define, justify and coordinate the various development activities at the property, which currently remain separate and lack detail, and requests the State Party to halt all new development projects (except the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga) until the Master Plan has been finalized and approved;
6. Expresses its concern that risk management arrangements, encompassing fire-fighting equipment, fire management practices and security and other measures necessary to reduce risks, have still not been fully developed; urges the State Party to undertake this work as soon as possible as part of the finalization of the Management Plan, ensuring that solutions (especially in regard to lighting and other visible elements) respect the traditional aspects of the property; and hopes that the Japanese extrabudgetary project will be able to restart shortly in order to provide all necessary conditions for the success of the implementation of these activities;
7. Notes that the ICOMOS technical review recommends modifications to the fire prevention system to reduce risk and increase effectiveness, and also requests the State Party to provide, as soon as possible, revised plans that address these recommendations, for review by the Advisory Bodies;
8. Also notes the progress made on the revised Management Plan, and further requests the State Party to update the organizational structure to take into account the Buganda Heritage Board as site manager, the existence of other committees related to the management of the property and any other changes that have been made to the structure, and to include a Tourism Management Plan;
9. In the light of a clearer understanding of when the main reconstruction work is to be completed, recommends that revised timeframes be suggested by the State Party for the completion of other corrective measures relating to the completion and implementation of the Management Plan, the development of the Master Plan and the development and implementation of a Risk Management Strategy;
10. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
11. Decides to retain Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.