Decision 42 COM 7A.16

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

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.31, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
3. Welcomes the progress made in the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga and that the work is on track to be completed in 2019, and notes the importance of funds being released from the Japanese extrabudgetary project as a matter of urgency in order to implement the disaster management system;
4. Also welcomes the progress made in developing a disaster risk strategy, appropriate management structure, draft management plan and draft Master Plan, in cooperation with the Buganda Kingdom Heritage and Tourism Board, the traditional custodians, the architects with knowledge of traditional building practices, and representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, and commends the State Party for the collaborative nature in which these plans, strategies and systems have been developed;
5. Further welcomes the progress made to submit a matrix with the corrective measures and a timeframe for implementation of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) as well as a workplan;
6. Acknowledges the constructive contribution of all parties, including state and non-state agents, in achieving the progress to date;
7. Encourages the State Party and all of the stakeholders involved in the management and use of the property to continue this active engagement, with support and guidance from the Advisory Bodies, with a view to implementing these strategies and plans at the earliest possible time, thereby achieving as soon as possible the DSOCR;
8. Expresses its concern however at the rapid deterioration of the Bujjabukula, and also acknowledges the State Party’s willingness to address the state of conservation of this highly significant structure;
9. Requests the State Party to:
   1. Urgently research and document the Bujjabukula, its construction and the individual elements that compose it,
   2. Urgently develop plans for its stabilization and restoration for submission to the Advisory Bodies,
   3. Implement the stabilization and restoration of the Bujjabukula as soon as possible and in parallel with the continuing process of the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga;
10. Also requests the State Party to further develop guidelines for the buffer zone of the property and reassess and align the development of Masiro and Hoima roads with the values for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and to duly reflect the urban dimension of the property and its OUV in the policies, measures and tools adopted by the State Party and the Kampala Capital City Authority, to ensure adequate conservation, using, if necessary, the approach carried by the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011);
11. Further requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed of any change to the 2017 timeline for reaching the DSOCR;
12. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, 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 43rd session in 2019;
13. Decides to retain the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.