Located on Kasubi Hill, roughly 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) northwest of Kampala's city center, the Kasubi Tombs offer you a profoundly significant glimpse into the spiritual, political, and architectural heritage of the Buganda Kingdom. Set within a 26-hectare (64-acre) site dominated by open agricultural land, this UNESCO World Heritage Site serves as the burial grounds for four kabakas (kings of Buganda) and other royal family members. As you explore the grounds, marked by protective bark cloth fig trees, you will pass through the gatehouse (Bujjabukula) and drum house (Ndoga-Obukaba) into the hilltop courtyards.
The centerpiece is the central circular building, Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, a remarkable structure featuring a thatched dome built with vegetal materials and supported by 52 rings representing the Baganda clans. Inside, barkcloth curtains conceal the sacred forest containing the royal tombs. After a tragic 2010 fire destroyed major structures, a major restoration effort funded by government support, crowdfunding, and Japan brought the site back to life, leading to its removal from UNESCO's "in danger" list in 2023.
Beyond royal history, you will observe living cultural traditions, including traditional bark cloth manufacturing and thatching.
What to see at Kasubi Tombs
- Muzibu Azaala Mpanga main building with its thatched dome
- Burial site of four historic Baganda kabakas (kings)
- Traditional bark cloth manufacturing by the Ngo clan
- Historic gatehouse (Bujjabukula) and royal drum house (Ndoga-Obukaba)
Visiting tips
Expect entry screening and security restrictions when visiting the tomb grounds.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Kasubi Tombs is easy to reach on Kampala’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Kampala travel guide.
See the full Kampala travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.