Kampala City Square Redevelopment Plan Faces Strong Opposition

Plans to transform Kampala’s City Square into a modern real estate complex have been met with widespread criticism and a strong call to protect the public space.

President Museveni, in a directive dated August 30, has asked the Minister of Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, Ms. Minsa Kabanda, to assess a proposal by Mr. Hassan Bulwadda for the redevelopment of the two-acre site.

The President instructed Ms. Kabanda to consult with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and report on the feasibility of the project. However, this move has already stirred up considerable debate among stakeholders and the public.

Concerns are mounting that the proposed development would encroach on a historically significant area. In 2007, the government issued an order explicitly designating City Square as a protected historical and monumental site. This designation was intended to safeguard the area from any form of commercial or private investment, preserving it as a public amenity.

Critics of the redevelopment plan argue that the historical significance and public utility of City Square outweigh any potential economic benefits from commercial development. They emphasize that such spaces are crucial for the city’s identity and provide essential recreational and gathering areas for residents.

The debate highlights a tension between urban development pressures and the preservation of public heritage sites. The outcome of Minister Kabanda’s assessment and the KCCA’s consultation will be closely watched.

Source: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/news/national/city-devt-bid-sparks-uproar-5594300