Kasubi tombs caretaker complains over delay to complete construction works
HERBERT ZZIWA
AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA
KAMPALA.The caretaker of the Kasubi Royal Tombs has expressed concern over the slow pace on the reconstruction of the burnt heritage site, saying the project has taken longer than anticipated .
Speaking during the inspection of construction works by Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga Tuesday ,Ms Nnalinya Beatrice Namika Mpologoma said ,the delays had caused a lot of anxiety among Baganda who expected work to be completed in the shortest time possible.
“ The period given to the contractor to do the work elapsed ,but work is still moving at a snail pace. All materials required are already on site but we wonder why there are such delays ,” she said
The 132-year-old royal tombs, which house remains of four fallen Buganda kings, went up in flames on March 16 ,2010 and the kingdom has since been mobilizing funds to put up a new structure .At least Shs3billion was raised from Baganda and other well-wishers to reconstruct the site while government and foreign donors also contributed Shs5billion. The kingdom is yet to give a detailed breakdown of the money that will be spent on the entire tombs reconstruction project.
Efforts to speak to officials from Omenga Construction Ltd,which is the main contractor of the project was futile .But the chairperson Kasubi Tombs Reconstruction Committee Hajj Kaddu Kiberu said the delays have been caused by the desire to erect a structure that matches international standards.
“It is not a matter of rushing through to finish ,but to come up with something that is of international standard and can stand the test of time. We want to avoid the past mistakes .Some times our engineers are forced to pull down some sections of the wall and rebuild it to ensure quality ,” he said
Omega reportedly subcontracted the last phase of the project to Wabulaakayole(a traditional thatcher).
The Wabulaakayole will supervise the 52 Baganda clans that will roof the structure. Each clan makes a ring traditionally known as ebizizi.
Mayiga said the delay to complete Kasubi hinders the redevelopment of other tombs like Muganzirwaaza in Nabweru in Wakiso District which culturally cannot be renovated unless Kasubi is completed.
“Some times I reach here and feel like quarreling with these engineers ,but since they are professionals we are optimistic that their delay is intended to deliver quality work and we shall wait ” he said
In 2010,when Mayiga was still the kingdom information minister he had projected that the construction works were to last at least six months –meaning tombs could have been completed by October the same year. However ,when he assumed the office of Katikkiro in May last year,the outspoken Katikkiro set March 16 this year as deadline to completed the tombs ,a period that passed when only the perimeter wall is finished the deadline was to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the fire that gutted the site .So far ,some section of foundation of main house in the tombs commonly known as Muzibu Azaala Mpanga is completed and by yesterday engineers were fixing metric bars in the sides to support the roof .According to the kingdom plan , Kasubi is expected to be turned into a cultural villages to attract more tourists ,set up a tele-centre and a traditional tourist sanctuary .Surveillance cameras are yet to be fitted on the completed perimeter wall.
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