Politics 6 October 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Government Addresses City Square Development Concerns
The Ugandan government has moved to quell public apprehension regarding the proposed development of Kampala's City Square, a vital green space, into a commercial complex. Concerns were raised in Parliament about the potential loss of the city's last remaining green areas. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4642/govt-allays-concerns-over-city-square
Concerns surrounding the potential transformation of Kampala’s City Square into a shopping mall complex have been addressed by the government. The issue gained prominence following remarks by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, who cited a letter from President Museveni outlining a proposal for a solar-powered, eco-friendly commercial hub at the site.
During a plenary session, Hon. Ssenyonyi voiced his unease about Parliament’s apparent exclusion from discussions concerning the fate of this significant urban green space. He emphasized the importance of preserving and even expanding such areas within the city, rather than diminishing them. The Leader of the Opposition questioned the process, noting that past land-related proposals from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) had required parliamentary approval.
Responding to the queries, the State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), Hon. David Bahati, clarified that the President’s letter was an internal directive to relevant ministers to evaluate a proposal. He assured Parliament that the proposal is under review and there is “no cause for alarm.”
Earlier, a directive dated 30 August 2026 from President Museveni had tasked the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda, to assess businessman Hassan Bulwadda’s redevelopment plan for City Square. The Minister was also instructed to consult with KCCA and report back to the President.
Separately, businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba has also staked a claim to the City Square land. He informed the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on 23 September 2026 that his company, HABA Group, had previously won a tender in 2001 to redevelop the square, paying a premium of shs1.6 billion. He stated that his company is seeking compensation following the cancellation of their agreement, adding that their proposed development would have maintained the green space above the commercial facilities.
Source: Parliament of Uganda