The World Heritage Committee, during its meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from September 10-25, has made the decision regarding the Tombs of Buganda Kings. Situated on a hillside in Uganda's capital, Kampala, these tombs hold immense historical and spiritual significance for the Baganda people and were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
Unfortunately, a devastating fire in 2010 led to the site being placed on the endangered list. Subsequent restoration efforts, supported by international funding, have now been successfully completed, restoring the site to its desired state of conservation, as stated by UNESCO in a recent announcement.
Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, praised this achievement as a collective success, crediting the Ugandan authorities, heritage professionals, and local communities for their pivotal roles in the restoration process. Prior to this decision, UNESCO highlighted the symbolic significance of removing these tombs from the endangered list, particularly in the context of Africa, where approximately 50 percent of sites in danger are located.
The fire's devastating impact included the destruction of a central tomb building, described as an "architectural masterpiece." However, UNESCO has expressed its satisfaction with the restoration efforts, not only for this iconic structure but also for others affected.
UNESCO has also commended the implementation of an advanced fire-fighting system and the training of volunteer firefighters among the local residents to prevent any such tragic incidents in the future.
Uganda's Minister of Tourism, Martin Mugarra, informed AFP that the restored tombs would soon welcome visitors once again, marking an exciting moment for the country and those who value and appreciate our cultural heritage.
Buganda, one of Uganda's four ancient kingdoms, traces its origins back to the 14th century along the shores of Lake Victoria, encompassing what is now Uganda's capital. The Baganda ethnic group constitutes the largest portion of Uganda's population, and their kingdom gained significant autonomy after the country's independence from British rule in 1962.
However, during the leadership of independence leader Milton Obote, the tribal kingdoms, including Buganda, were outlawed, leading to the exile of the Kabaka (king). The bush war that eventually brought Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986 received substantial support from Buganda, securing his rule to this day. Nonetheless, recent times have seen strained relations between the Baganda people and the government.
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