A glimpse of Uganda - a bit of history

History & Culture – Kasubi tombs

This is an extract from the official website of Kasubi:

The first Kabaka (the collective name for the Buganda Kings) to be buried at Kasubi was Muteesa I, the 35th King of Buganda. The dates of the reigns of the Kabakas are only precisely known from Ssekabaka Suuna II, who ruled from 1836 to 1856.

The Baganda belong to the Bantu speaking people and date their political civilization back to the 13th century A.D.

Four Kabakas (Bassekabaka) are buried at Kasubi tombs, namely:

Muteesa I (1835-1884)
Basamula Mwanga II (1867-1903)
Daudi Chwa II (1896-1939)
Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa II (1924-1969)



Muzibu Azaala Mpanga is the main tomb area or palace. The first palace was originally built by Ssekabaka King Suuna II in 1820 (a deceased Kabaka is referred to as Ssekabaka). The main building that is seen today was rebuilt by Ssekabaka Mutesa I, son of Suuna II, in 1882.

Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, which means “A tough one brings forth powerful ones”, is circular in plan and has a dome-like shape. Its massive scale can be seen in its external diameter of 31 meters and an internal height of 7.5 meters.

The thatching technique at the Kasubi tombs is quite unique and can hardly be compared to any other African or European thatching technique. The grass is prepared in conical bundles which are simply laid onto the roof structure without being tied, except for the first layers at the bottom. When one of these bundles decays, it can be efficiently replaced. This interesting technique makes the huge maintenance task of the thatched roofs much easier.





In the main Palace Hall, the four “widows” of the four Ssekabakas are the guardians of the graves. They live here most of the time and during the day, they tend to manufacture floor mats and other handicraft items.







I have visited Kasubi twice in the last 6 years

During one of those visits, we enjoyed a guided tour. One of the ‘funny’ stories we were told, concerns the religious orientation in Uganda

In the 18th and 19th century a fair few traders from the Middle East – mostly muslims – came into the area of Uganda. And, as is often the case, apart from their goods and trades, they also brought their religion to the people of Uganda, well at least they tried.

Now it is a common tradition in Uganda that as far as possible, men, and in particular men of high social standards (such as kings) are spared, as much as possible, any physical pain.

Conversion to Islam required the ritual of circumcision. That painful operation, however, was not really acceptable and hence Islam failed to make a significant impact in Uganda.

This is one of the “women houses” within the compound where relatives of the Kabakas live.