By Mulengera News
President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly asked property mogul Hajji Hassan Bulwadda to revise his proposed UGX400 billion redevelopment of Kampala’s City Square, demanding that 40% of the development be reserved for green space before the project can proceed.
The directive puts the ambitious proposal on hold as Bulwadda works on a revised plan that accommodates the President’s environmental concerns while retaining the project’s commercial and tourism ambitions.
Museveni had earlier directed Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda to assess the proposal in consultation with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and report back before a final decision is made.
The latest intervention introduces a significant design requirement for the approximately two-acre site, which Hajji Bulwadda wants to transform into a modern commercial complex with shopping facilities, hotel accommodation, recreational areas and other public amenities.
3,500 SHOPS, 250 HOTEL SUITES
Under the original proposal, a complex on the Supreme Court side of City Square would accommodate approximately 1,000 shops and 250 hotel suites, while another development along Kampala Road would provide about 2,500 shops.
The project would therefore create approximately 3,500 shops alongside hotel accommodation, potentially expanding commercial activity in the city centre.
Other proposed facilities include free public toilets, free Wi-Fi, banking services, resting areas, tourism exhibition space, solar energy installations, rooftop greenery and a water fountain.
The city businessman has presented the project as an opportunity to modernize the city centre while introducing facilities for traders, residents and visitors.
Museveni’s 40% green-space requirement means the developer must now demonstrate how landscaping and recreational areas can be integrated with the planned commercial structures.
GREEN SPACE AT THE CENTRE OF THE DEBATE
The redevelopment has attracted opposition from Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo and Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who have since raised concerns about City Square’s historical significance and the need to preserve its public character.
The site, formerly known as Government Square, dates back to 1903 and remains an important part of Kampala’s urban history.
Attorney General Dr Sam Mayanja has backed Bulwadda’s proposal, arguing that the square can be modernized while retaining greenery and its historical monument.
In a recent video seen by Mulengera News, Dr Sam Mayanja called for a water fountain, restored green spaces and modern internet connectivity to make the square more attractive to Ugandans and international visitors.
He also argued that redevelopment could help address insecurity at the site, where he said police regularly deal with suspected criminals.
The President’s latest directive places the balance between commercial development, environmental preservation and public access at the heart of the next stage of the proposal.
BULWADDA TO REVISE THE PLAN
Bulwadda’s immediate task is to produce a revised design that meets the president’s green-space requirement while demonstrating how the proposed shops, hotel suites and public amenities can be accommodated.
The revised proposal will be crucial in determining whether the planned transformation can proceed while preserving City Square’s historical significance and public value. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
