An examination of the cultural responsiveness of the buildings on the Mabere Ga-Nyinamwiru heritage site

Abstract

Cultural heritage sites in Uganda face a challenge as buildings rising around the sites hardly resonate with the immense cultural wealth that is packed in these heritage sites. This paper aims to examine the cultural responsiveness of the buildings on and around the Mabere ga-Nyinamwiru heritage site and suggest ways the buildings on or around the Mabere gaNyinamwiru heritage artifacts can be an expression of the culture of the heritage site. Results were collected from case studies of the Mabere ga Nyinamwiru heritage site in FortpotalUganda and Singita Kwitonda lodges in Rwanda by observation of the case studies, interviews, and questionnaires to the local community, public, and Architects. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that some buildings are not responsive due to proportion & scale, choice of building material, neglect of traditional craftsmanship, the orientation of the buildings, and the function of buildings versus the cultural beliefs. This study will offer designers, planners, investors, and developers like the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) an understanding of the design of buildings around heritage sites such that the buildings can be an expression of the culture of the adjacent heritage site