Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Agenzia Fides) – On March 16, a fire destroyed the "Kasubi Tombs," the mausoleum near the capital Kampala, belonging to the Buganda Kings who ruled the traditional southern Ugandan kingdom. The causes of the fire are under investigation, but the destruction of the mausoleum, called a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, has caused tensions and conflict among the people and the police. According to media sources, at least two people died in clashes between police and a group of protesters who wanted to prevent the President, Yoweri Museveni, from visiting the destroyed Tombs.
Army and police are patrolling the area, although Fides sources say that in the downtown area of the capital, Kampala, the situation is calm. In September, some riots erupted after a member of the Baganda Kingdom had been prevented from visiting the village of Kayunga, in a district north-east of Kampala, to begin preparations for a visit from the ruler of Buganda (see Fides 14/9/2009).
According to Fides sources, "there are still differences of a tribal nature, based on the 4 traditional Kingdoms (see Fides 16/9/2009), but the situation is evolving. The Church itself is strongly committed to overcoming the tribal mentality. The seminaries are mixed in the sense that the diocesan seminaries welcome students from other dioceses in Uganda. This is a way to make people understand that diversity is a mutual enrichment, not a divisive factor. The presence of international missionary congregations in the local church, as well as diocesan congregations, especially female ones, which employ the rule of mixing people from different parts of the country."
As for the burning of the mausoleum, Fides sources say: "It is too early to predict what impact this incident will have on the coexistence among the different parts of the country. Surely in a pre-election year (presidential elections are in 2011), there will be speculations designed to fuel the tension. We hope that common sense will prevail and that rumors from those who want to sow hatred and confusion will remain isolated." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/3/2010)
