Beneath the vast thatched roof of the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, time seems to stand still as the rhythmic pounding of royal drums echoes through the sacred space. This living monument serves as the burial ground for four Buganda kings and remains an active spiritual center where traditions dating back to the 13th century are preserved. Visitors can participate in an intimate barkcloth-making workshop, learning how artisans transform the inner bark of mutuba trees into the distinctive fabric that adorns royalty.
The experience deepens during a traditional lunch featuring luwombo – chicken or beef steamed in banana leaves – prepared using methods unchanged for generations. As the afternoon unfolds, elders share captivating stories about the 52 clans of Buganda, their ancestral lands, and the complex system of governance that sustained one of Africa’s most powerful kingdoms. This immersive encounter not only educates but directly supports the preservation of architectural techniques and oral traditions at risk of being lost.
