The shrines of Buganda's first King, Sekabaka Kintu, were on Wednesday night set ablaze by unknown people. The fire that reportedly broke out at exactly 8.20pm at Kikumbi palace, Bunamwaya, Zana, 8 km on Kampala- Entebbe road, burnt the 400 year old palace to ashes, destroying all traditional regalia.
Princess Nawume Nandaula, 71, caretaker at the grass- thatched palace, told The New Vision yesterday: "we had received anonymous letters some days before, threatening us that the palace will be set on fire."
No one has so far claimed responsibility or has been arrested by police over the incident. Chief Fire Officer Uganda Brigade, Joseph Mugisa said his team could not save anything as the fire had destroyed the palace by the time fire fighters arrived at the scene.
The fire officer said: "we received a call from a student, Lawrence Wamala of Zana trading center at 8.40pm we immediately despatched two fire tenders to the scene. But by the time they got there, the entire place had burnt to ashes."
No one was injured by the fire. All the seven people who stayed and worked in the palace fled the burning structure in time.
The palace, said to have been built over four centuries ago, was recently rehabilitated and re-equipped with traditional regalia which was burnt.
A resident told The New Vision that the fire may have been set by some people brought from Kyaggwe by Prince Nakibinge Mutebi to work in palace. He is reported to have later abandoned than without paying their wages.
Nakibinge Mutebi to work in palace. He is reported to have later abandoned than without paying their wages.