By Josephine Maseruka

BUGANDA premier J.B. Walusimbi has said the renovation of the Kasubi Tombs begins on Monday with the construction of a temporary shelter.

However, full reconstruction will await the decision of UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which convenes in Brazil in July.

Fire gutted the 129-year-old historic site in March, where four kings, Muteesa I, Mwanga II, Daudi Chwa II and Sir Edward Muteesa II, are buried.

Walusimbi was speaking while meeting Abazukulu Ba Buganda, a group led by Jjunju Kamulali, at his office.

Kamulali said his group, together with presidential adviser Maj. Kakooza Mutale, had planned to start renovating the tombs on May 24, the day Mengo palace was raided by Milton Obote in 1966.

The group labelled reconstruction according to UNESCO standards a “dictatorship”.

“I caution you against politicising the renovation of the tombs. It is Mengo’s responsibility to carry out repairs and not Abazukulu Ba Buganda,” Walusimbi warned.

A few weeks ago, the premier said they had raised over sh300m for the renovation.

UNESCO in 2001 recognised the tombs as a masterpiece of human creativity, representing the cultural traditions of the Baganda.

The site has been an important centre of religious activity for the Baganda.

Lazare Eloundou, the UNESCO head of the Africa unit, last month said the tombs will not be removed from the list of World Heritage sites.

He said reconstruction according to UNESCO recommendations would restore the tombs.