The sorry state of the Tooro Royal tombs locally Known as “Amagasani” at Kibiito in Bunyangabu and Karambi in Fort portal city has prompted the kingdom loyalists to plead with the monarch to prioritize their rehabilitation to promote tourism and preserve the kingdom’s history for future generations.
The Kingdom’s subjects in Bunyangabu county accuse the authorities of leaving the tombs to waste away despite various calls from the population to renovate the site. Arnold Kasoro, a resident of Kangoma cell in Kibiito town council told the Uganda Radio Network that a number of tourists from all over the world used to visit the Tomb of the late King Kaboyo I, who was buried in Kangoma village.
He, however, says that as time went by, the previously beautiful and magnificent tombs were destroyed leading to their collapse, which led to the reduction in the number of tourists visiting the area. He explains that currently the tomb of Tooro’s first king is under direct sunlight without a structure to safeguard it and the compound has since turned into a play-field and grazing ground for children and animals respectively.
Steven Batalingaya, the Kangoma village LC I chairperson who has been taking care of the Royal tombs on the orders of princess Elizabeth Bagaya told URN that the place was beautiful back in the day.
He, however, says that with the aging of the princess who used to finance the maintenance works at the tombs it has been hard to keep them in good shape.
Batalingaya says that it is the responsibility of the Kingdom, particularly the ruling clan, to maintain the history of the Tooro kingdom by preserving its cultural sites for future generations.
Allan Bagweri, resident of Karambi in Fort Portal Tourism City central division says the kingdom has failed to maintain the royal tombs and most of them are damaged due to running water and sometimes earthquake.
He says the majority of the kingdom’s premiers severally promise to work on the cultural site but abandoned the proposals leaving the area in a sorry state. Vincent Mugume, the Tooro Kingdom Deputy Spokesperson, says that the institution is aware of the status of its cultural sites, particularly the royal tombs, and plans to refurbish them will be soon communicated to the public.
Tooro Kingdom is celebrating 200 years since King Kaboyo I founded the kingdom after breaking off from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom in 1822.
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