Wamala Tombs, situated in Wakiso district about 30 minutes from Kampala, is the sacred burial site of Ssekabaka II, the 29th king of Buganda.
Ssuna is remembered for having built Kasubi Tombs. Kasubi was his first Palace after his enthronement, but he decided to go back to Wamala to be close to his mother, for whom he had built a house at nearby Kagoma.
Ssekabaka Ssuna had a palace at Wamala Nabweru Sub-county, Wakiso Dstrict which later became his resting place. He was born to Ssekabaka Kamanya and Nnamasole Kanyange and he acceded to the throne around 1824. He was the first Kabaka to wear kanzus which were brought by the Arabs. Ssekabaka Ssuna was a powerful ruler with a fears me reputation for punishment. Ssekabaka Ssuna gave birth to Ssekabaka Mutesa I. He built the Kasubi Tombs but later decided to have his resting place at Wamala near her mother tomb.
During his reign in the middle of the 19th century, he became the first king to admit outside traders into Bugunda. He had 148 wives and sired 218 children, and when he died, he was the last king to have his jawbone (which was believed to contain his spirit) placed in a royal shrine staffed by his descendants.
The Wamala King’s tombs, including the shrine of Kabaka Suuna II, are one of only two such tomb complexes remaining in Uganda. Wamala remains a very important site for traditional religious practices hosted by the royal family, a place where the Kabaka and his representatives frequently carry out important rituals allowing them to communicate with their ancestors. The descendants of the kings continue to provide occasional maintenance at the site, but their efforts have not been sufficient to rethatch the roofs of the tombs as frequently as necessary. Watch listing this highly significant heritage site could help revitalize community engagement in its stewardship.