Fire has destroyed much of the Kasubi Tombs in Uganda, the final resting place of royalty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back 150 years, police said on Wednesday.

The cause of the blaze which started early on Tuesday night and which consumed the thatched-roof mausoleum and many royal artefacts of the Bugandan kingdom has not been identified.

"Our officers are at the scene trying to examine every available evidence and piece together bits of information to establish what clearly happened but no conclusion has been reached yet," said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba.

The Baganda are Uganda's largest tribe and were instrumental in Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni coming to power 24 years ago. Museveni based his five-year military struggle in the kingdom's heartland and support by the Baganda helped him stay in power.

However, relations are now strained after Museveni last year blocked the Bugandan reigning king, or kabaka, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, from visiting a part of his kingdom.

The kabaka wants more autonomous control over resources in his kingdom, such as land and taxes, but the government says he is only a cultural figure and must steer clear of politics.

source: Reuters