KAMPALA-UGANDA. Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has revealed the reconstruction of Kasubi tombs has so far consumed a whopping Shs15bn in its ten years of reconstruction and he has called for more donations.
Mayiga speaking on Monday during the presentation of the Kingdom’s Shs 209bn defended the huge expense saying it comprises perilous works that call for high end traditional technocrats and materials- such as thatch grass that he said covers a thickness of four metres.
“To those who decry delayed completion of the tombs, just contribute. We have also laid our request to the government to support the remaining budget towards the final completion of the tombs and hopefully they will support,” Mayiga said.
He named major funders as the people of Buganda – Shs.9bn, the government of Uganda- Shs2.3bn, the Japanese government Shs.2.37bn and the world heritage Centre – Shs370m.
“We have used over Shs.10bn- the treasurer will compute but not today. Those calling for quick completion of Kasubi tombs should donate,” Mayiga said but gave hope works were nearly complete although he fell short of declaring when.
In the ended budget of 2022/23, the Kingdom used Shs1,854,099,558 while they have budgeted Shs. 2,000,000,000 in the new 2023/24 budget.
Mr. Mayiga said the tombs were a key tourist attraction that need government support.
“In fact without politics, the symbol of Kampala City would be Kasubi tombs, a traditional house in the city. This city was started by Buganda King Walugembe Muteesa I. In New York- the liberty signature, Big Ben in the UK are all traditional symbols but which market those cities,” Mayiga said.
Kasubi tombs burnt down on March 16, 2010 only nine years after it had been declared by UNESCO as a world heritage facility. It was established by demised King Mukaabya Walugembe Muteesa I in 1856.
Reconstruction works started in 2013. Mr. Mayiga’s last update on the expenditure towards Kasubi tombs was in November 2019. At the time he said Shs.6bn had been spent. Shs.2.5bn had been spent on the Perimeter.
At the time, what Mengo officials have called the most delicate works of interlacing the ceiling was 95 percent done, according to Mr. Mayiga then and he said “Ugandans would have huge smiles as Kasubi tombs were due to be re-launched to the Public in the near future’.
“At least 90% of the ceiling of the tombs, the most delicately woven structure with iron and thatched grass has been done,” Mr Mayiga said in 2019.
Critics have often criticized officials of inflating cost figures and creating unnecessary delays. In 2015, due to failed accountability, the US embassy was forced to cancel a funding contract with Mengo.
The Tombs the royal burial ground since 1884, has four Kings that lie in the main structure known as Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, which is circular and surmounted by a dome and UNESCO says it’s a major example of an architectural achievement that was raised with the use of vegetal materials composed of wooden poles, spear grass, reeds and wattle.
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