Great Pyramid Destroyed

Okay...not really. But, if that really happened, the world would certainly know about it. As the Royal Kasubi tombs in Uganda (Buganda) burned to the ground (the equivalent to King Tut's tomb being destroyed...by a local doctorate), U.S. news carried on. On the front page of the "big 3" news sites included things like: "Retirement home for prostitutes" (CNN), Wal-Mart worker fired over medical marijuana" (MSNBC), and, well, pick your jab at Obama/healthcare and how we are out of touch with our "founding fathers" and turning socialist/communist/fascist (Foxnews). What is the connecting link? Not one of these websites has a mention (anywhere that I can find) of the Kasubi Tombs burning and civil unrest taking place yesterday or today.

The New York Times has an article. And, a video.

Yes...I "was" scheduled to visit the tombs on one of the first few days of my trip...but...per this message just sent to me this morning by the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, I doubt that will happen:

This Warden Message is to alert U.S. citizens to incidences of civil unrest that could pose a threat to your personal security. On March 16 at approximately 9 p.m., the Buganda Kingdom’s Royal Kasubi Tombs were engulfed in flames. The Police/Fire personnel at the scene were unable to extinguish the fire and the historical site was destroyed. Police have been operating on a heightened alert due to the potential for civil unrest as a result of the destructive fire.

Earlier today at around 11:30 a.m., demonstrations adjacent to the Kasubi Tombs turned violent with reports of at least three demonstrators killed. U.S. citizens should avoid areas where demonstrations have occurred and seek shelter immediately if you should come upon demonstrations or large crowds.

Currently there is a tense calm in the greater Kampala area with ongoing low-grade civil unrest and riot police stationed in the vicinity between Kasubi Tombs and the Buganda Palace in Mengo. There are also reports of blocked traffic and ongoing student protests around Makerere University. Traffic is flowing normally in the rest of Kampala but, based on previous city-wide demonstrations experienced in September 2009, traffic could be severely disrupted with little notice.

What are the Kasubi Tombs?

And...here is a tour video...that is a very interesting cultural explanation.



And, sadly, some of the first use of social media that I have seen coming out of Uganda (but, most of it is from "reporters").

WARNING! Some may find parts of the videos disturbing!













That is pretty much it on Youtube.

I can't help but wonder how this would be covered differently if it were somewhere else. What if it really was one of the great pyramids? Does the size make a difference...or is cultural significance more important? What if it was the tomb of the unknown soldier?