A firefighting system worth Shillings 1.8 billion has been installed at the Kasubi royal tombs to protect the structures from fire accidents in the future. The main house Muzibu-azaalampanga at the Kasubi tombs, which is an 1800s structure and a former Buganda King Muteesa I’s palace, serves as the resting place for four fallen Buganda Kings.
The 16-meter-high grass-thatched structure is a UNESCO world heritage site and was destroyed by an anonymous fire in 2010. The reconstruction works have been delayed because of technicalities and norms to be followed while restoring this house. The firefighting system, which has been commissioned, has a 173 cubic meter water supply underground tank and is powered by solar, hydro, and a diesel standby generator.
In case of operational failure in any of the power sources, the system has a backup power source. The system installation cost up to USD 500,000, which was donated by Japan through UNESCO. Charles Peter Mayiga, the Buganda Kingdom prime minister, stated that this system is part of the requirements for such a facility to avoid distractions of the facility like that in 2010.
He added that the government, UNESCO, and the kingdom will continue working together for the preservation of the site.
The lead engineer of the team that installed the system, Bernad Sserunkuuma, explains that the system is automatic and senses fire from any place in the surroundings of the tomb and gives an alarming alert. In addition to these points, mobile firefighting equipment has also been strategically put in different places in the tombs’ court, and a team of residents has been trained on how to operate them.
Fire detection equipment, detections, call points, and detectors have been installed in all 16 houses within the complex. Each house has a detector, sounder, and manual call point. Potable fire extinguishers have also been installed in all the houses to make it easy to save lives and property early enough.
Martin Mugara, the state minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, handed over a fully furnished traditional quarter guard, known as Bujja bukula, to the prime minister on behalf of the government, whose reconstruction was fully funded by the central government. “Our commitment as a government, is to culture, and this is one of the ways to see how it goes on beyond our generation like ours and that’s the reason we are here today, ” said Mugara.
Nyiracyiza Besigye, the commissioner for museums and monuments in the Ministry of Tourism, wildlife, and Antiquities, said that they are working towards completing all the works at the tombs before the Buganda king celebrates 30 years of his coronation this year.
