The United Nations on Wednesday said it would help Uganda rebuild the tombs of royal traditional rulers whose destruction in a fire last month sparked major riots.
"I am glad to report that an expert mission confirms the feasibility of this unique World Heritage site's reconstruction," said Irina Bokova, the head of the United Nations cultural body UNESCO, in a statement.
"UNESCO will do everything in its power to help Ugandan authorities mobilise the resources needed to bring this site back to life and ensure its future safeguarding. We are already activating emergency funds for this," she said.
The expert mission was sent by UNESCO, which in 2001 declared the Kasubi royal tombs a World Heritage Site, at the request of the Ugandan government.
Mission leader Lazare Eloundou said it was "feasible" to rebuild the tombs that are revered by the Baganda people -- Uganda's largest ethnic group -- and were a major tourist attraction.
"The know-how and material resources used in building the original edifice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are still readily available locally," said the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation official.
Ties between the government and the Baganda tribe have been frosty since last year when the tribal ruler, the Kabaka, was blocked from visiting a region outside the capital Kampala.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni last month angrily rejected accusations that his government was behind the fire that ravaged the tombs in straw-thatched buildings on March 16.
Museveni also defended security forces who fired live rounds to quell riots over the fire on the outskirts of Kampala.
At least two people were killed in the protests, which followed allegations that arsonists set fire to the tombs.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
