By Madinah Tebajjukira

Religious leaders have regretted the burning of the Kasubi royal tombs and consoled Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, urging him to be strong in what they called a trying moment for Buganda.

The leaders, led by the chairman of the Inter-Religious Council, Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga, also appealed to Baganda to remain calm and pray for the Kabaka.

Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga from the Catholic faith, Bishop Wilberforce Luwalila of the Protestant faith and the deputy Mufti, Sheik Abdul Hayyih Mukiibi on Wednesday joined crowds at the burnt tombs in Kasubi, near Kampala.

By the time the religious leaders visited the tombs, construction of the burnt tomb had started. Youthful Baganda collected reeds and grass in a bid to reconstruct the hut built 128 years back.

Kasubi royal tombs was listed in 2001 by UNESCO as a world heritage.

The Uganda Joint Christian Council has condemned the incident, saying the destruction is a big blow.

“We are shocked by the scale of destruction in this incident. We join Ugandans in condemning this act,” said a statement, signed by Fr. Dr. Silverster Arinaitwe.

They also called on the Government to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.