Mengo, Wakiso rehabilitate cultural sites
Apr 14, 2012
BUGANDA Kingdom and Wakiso district authorities are to work jointly in rehabilitation of various cultural sites to promote tourism.
By Jeff Andrew Lule
BUGANDA Kingdom and Wakiso district authorities are to work jointly in rehabilitation of various cultural sites to promote tourism.
The district chairperson, Matia Bwanika said the move is aimed at promoting tourism and increasing revenue for the district and Buganda Kingdom.
While meeting the Kingdom premier, Eng JB Walusimbi at his office in Mengo yesterday, Bwanika unveiled a 12 member district committee, which is going to work with the Kingdom committee to promote the sites in the district.
“We realized that Wakiso had majority of the Buganda cultural sites that can be rehabilitated and utilized as tourist attractions. This will help to protect our cultural sites and also bring in more revenue,” he said.
He said the district has already carried out a survey and gazzeted 44 sites which will be rehabilitated.
Bwanika said the committee is going to start with Wamala tombs to give it a face lift as one of the most historical sites in Buganda.
“We want to rehabilitate the entire site to get its original face lift, install a water tank, plant trees by the road side and put up a parking space. Wamala tombs are second to Kasubi tombs and can equally attract more tourists,” he noted.
The district committee is to offer technical guidance to the Kingdom on how to develop the sites and also help is raising funds.
The delegation also handed over sh1m to contribute to the reconstruction of Kasubi tombs.
Walusimbi said Wakiso has about 32 tombs and over 50 other sites. He said the Kingdom is ready to work together with the district authorities to rehabilitate the sites and promote tourism to generate more revenue.
He said tourism is one thing that can create employment for the young people.
“We are ready to work with the district to achieve our goal to change the lives of our people. It will help protect the sites, preserve culture, generate revenues and provide employment,” Walusimbi noted.
He said they were working with the Japanese Government to rehabilitate Wamala and Kasubi tombs among others.
The chairperson of the committee, Allen Ssentongo, said they intend to make leaflets on all sites to create awareness among the people