Law to preserve and conserve historic sites in offing

 HERITAGE

In an effort to preserve and conserve Uganda's historical sites Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is in the final stages of preparing an ordnance which will help the Authority to protect Uganda's historical and cultural heritage.

The move by KCCA comes after Christians in Ndeeba lost their church, Pioneer Mall brought down and the burning of Makerere University's Ivory Tower.

The Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago said the ordinance would help the Authority to protect Uganda's historical and cultural heritage that is at the risk of being mishandled by individuals.

The Ordinance includes sections that require government to acquire historical sites that are currently in the hands of private owners and where the property is not acquired by government, a fund is to be set up for owners as motivation to also help them maintain the sites.

Lukwago explained that some owners of historical buildings have taken decisions to develop their properties in a manner that erases the history. He reveals that the new ordinance will compel owners to preserve the buildings and sites since they are part of a large history beyond their interests as owners

The ordinance comes at a time when the existence of a number of private owned historical buildings and sites is threatened.

Recently, Uganda's first business Mall, the Pioneer Mall was brought down as the owner sought to construct a bigger and more modern building," Lukwago said.

In addition, KCCA and conservationists are still battling with Watoto Church Limited management who want to demolish the historical structure formerly known as Norman Cinema, to put up a ‘modern' structure.

Once Watoto ignores the city authorities and the conservationists and proceeds to destroy the original structure, they can only be fined sh2,000, Lukwago said.

It is against this background that the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda-(CCFU) with support from the European Union and Embassy of Ireland has documented and produced maps of historic buildings in Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja and Fort Portal.

The Heritage Trust Programme Manager, CCFU Simon Musasizi said they have actively engaged in the process of drafting  the Kampala Historic Buildings Ordinance which is currently before council.

Musasizi calls upon KCCA to expedite its promulgation in order to facilitate efforts to safeguard historic buildings in Kampala.
CCFU has documented 44 sites in Kampala, which will be preserved and conserved in the city.

Among these is KCCA Mayor's Palour, the Ivory Tower, the Bahai House, High Court, Ham Mukasa Keweerimidde house among others
One of the oldest and privately preserved sites in Kampala is the Ham Mukasa Home on Namirembe Road, which has history of the Buganda Kingdom.

According to James Galabuzi Mukasa, a great grandson of Ham Mukasa their home, which is over 100 years, is one of the historical sites.  He said government needs to understand the importance of preserving historical sites.

Ham Mukasa was one of the chiefs in Kabaka Muteesa's palace. The home has rich literature on Buganda Kingdom.