Clashes between police and supporters of Uganda’s largest Buganda tribe left three dead, after the Kasubi Tombs were burned down on Tuesday night.
The tombs, built 150 years ago in Uganda’s capital Kampala, were put on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List of 890 cultural and natural sites in 2001, describing them as “a masterpiece of human creativity both in its conception and its execution.”
Tension escalated on Wednesday after Uganda President Yoweri Museveni tried to reach the burnt burial grounds of the Buganda Kings, and was hindered by infuriated members of the traditional kingdom.
“Those killed were among a crowd which was stopping the guards to enter where the tombs are located. The guards responded by opening fire and killing three people and injuring several,” Minister of information for the Buganda kingdom Lubega Segona told AP.
Buganda’s King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II announced a week of mourning.
Some adherents of the kingdom accused the official government of setting the sacred tombs on fire—attaching it to the current disagreements between the country’s authorities and the kingdom of Buganda.
“There are people who want to cause harm to this kingdom. They are keen on destabilizing us and we don’t know whether they’re behind this,” said Charles Peter Mayiga, a kingdom official.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
After President Museveni took power in 1986, he was supported by the Buganda kingdom.
However, the apparent peace was obscured last year, when police blocked the way of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, Buganda’s reigning kabaka (the title of the Buganda king) from reaching the capital, allegedly for security reasons. The act was taken as an insult by supporters of the kabaka, and they responded with riots which resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people.
The kingdom kabaka wants more political and economical sovereignty from Uganda authorities, but is instead pronounced a “cultural figure” and is advised to “steer clear of politics.”
Uganda is expected to hold its presidential elections in 2011, and some hope President Museveni will step down. However, since he is not showing any signs of resigning from his post the votes could appear tricky.
The tombs, built 150 years ago in Uganda’s capital Kampala, were put on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List of 890 cultural and natural sites in 2001, describing them as “a masterpiece of human creativity both in its conception and its execution.”
Tension escalated on Wednesday after Uganda President Yoweri Museveni tried to reach the burnt burial grounds of the Buganda Kings, and was hindered by infuriated members of the traditional kingdom.
“Those killed were among a crowd which was stopping the guards to enter where the tombs are located. The guards responded by opening fire and killing three people and injuring several,” Minister of information for the Buganda kingdom Lubega Segona told AP.
Buganda’s King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II announced a week of mourning.
Some adherents of the kingdom accused the official government of setting the sacred tombs on fire—attaching it to the current disagreements between the country’s authorities and the kingdom of Buganda.
“There are people who want to cause harm to this kingdom. They are keen on destabilizing us and we don’t know whether they’re behind this,” said Charles Peter Mayiga, a kingdom official.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
After President Museveni took power in 1986, he was supported by the Buganda kingdom.
However, the apparent peace was obscured last year, when police blocked the way of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, Buganda’s reigning kabaka (the title of the Buganda king) from reaching the capital, allegedly for security reasons. The act was taken as an insult by supporters of the kabaka, and they responded with riots which resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people.
The kingdom kabaka wants more political and economical sovereignty from Uganda authorities, but is instead pronounced a “cultural figure” and is advised to “steer clear of politics.”
Uganda is expected to hold its presidential elections in 2011, and some hope President Museveni will step down. However, since he is not showing any signs of resigning from his post the votes could appear tricky.
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