Publications
Applying the Historic Urban Landscape approach to changing African contexts. The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi at the heart of an integrated strategy for Kampala
A pilot project applying the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach has successfully addressed urban development challenges at the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi' in Kampala, Uganda. The initiative, supported by UNESCO and the Government of Norway, focused on integrating heritage preservation with its urban context, as recommended by the 2011 HUL guidelines. This effort contributed to the site's removal from the World Heritage List in Danger (WHLD) in 2023 after extensive reconstruction, documentation, and capacity-building efforts following a devastating fire in 2010. The project also developed guidelines for the buffer zone, ensuring sustainable urban development while preserving the site's cultural significance.
Old Scandals, New Memories: Mayanja’s Transformation in Buganda (18th-21st centuries)
A century-old stuffed leopard, Mayanja, central to Buganda's royal mythology and history, was destroyed in the 2010 fire at Kasubi. The study reveals that Mayanja embodies multiple layers of myth, including a river, god, and symbol of execution, while serving as a site for both memory and the erasure of subversive pasts. Notably, incest myths were developed in the 19th century to obscure the tyrannical rule of King Kagulu and the subsequent reign of female rulers from the leopard clan. The research employs historical analysis to trace the transformation of Mayanja's narrative, highlighting its role in both preserving and obliterating Ganda history.
Time Travel in Heritage Reconstruction: The Case of the Kasubi Royal Tombs at Kampala, Uganda
The Kasubi Royal Tombs serve as a living cultural and spiritual hub where ancestral spirits guide reconstruction efforts amid crises. Two devastating fires in the past decade disrupted its functioning but revealed how past events, pacts, and ritual roles of clans and mediums provide critical frameworks for recovery. This study highlights the role of immaterial heritage—ancestral guidance—in shaping tangible solutions for damaged sites, offering a people-centred approach to heritage reconstruction that integrates spiritual, social, and material dimensions. By analyzing historical patterns of decision-making and capacity-building, the research underscores the importance of ancestral traditions in orienting stakeholders toward sustainable recovery, informing future generations, and preserving cultural integrity.
Developing a Viable Cultural Heritage Tourism Site at the Tombs of the Masingo at Swongozwi: Lessons Drawn from the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, Kasubi, Uganda
Cultural heritage tourism development at indigenous African sites faces significant resistance from custodians, as demonstrated by the tombs of the Masingo dynasty in South Africa. Unlike Uganda's Kasubi Tombs, where local support for tourism exists, Swongozwi custodians rejected economic activities, highlighting the tension between poverty alleviation opportunities and cultural preservation. This study, using historical critical analysis, key informant interviews, and site visits, underscores the need to prioritize indigenous attitudes toward culture and identity in heritage management strategies. The findings align with prior research on the Vhavenda, suggesting that while tourism could benefit communities, custodial reluctance often hinders such initiatives.
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