By Hillary Nsambu

Justice Stephen George Engwau of the Court of Appeal has been appointed to head the commission of inquiry into the cause of the fire that destroyed Kasubi Tombs last March.

Four of the six-member team were sworn in yesterday by Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki at the Kampala High Court. The other commissioners are Florence Ssewanyana (secretary), Augustine Omara-Okurut from UNESCO and Grace Akullo of the Uganda Police.

Cheborion Barishaki, a commissioner for civil litigation in the Ministry of Justice, who will be the lead counsel, are yet to be sworn in.

“This is a very important assignment for you to carry out, not only for Uganda but also the entire world. Ugandans and foreigners are anxious to know the cause of the inferno,” Odoki told the members.

He urged the members to complete the work within three months. He also called upon the cultural institutions and the public to participate in the inquiry.

Set up in 1882 by Ssekabaka Muteesa I, the mausoleum is a world heritage site. The complex is a burial ground for Buganda’s kings. Kings buried there are Muteesa I, Bassamula Mwanga, Daudi Chwa and Edward Muteesa II.

Jane Mpagi, a director in the Ministry of Social Development, said the Cabinet had set up a committee to work with Buganda to restore the site.