By Aggrey Baba
Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso has thrown her weight behind Hajji Hassan Bulwadda’s proposal to redevelop Kampala’s City Square, saying she supports the project as long as the investor preserves the greenery currently found at the prime city-centre location.
Speaking on Salam TV, Nalweyiso said Bulwadda had formally approached President Yoweri Museveni seeking permission to undertake the development, and that she had no problem with the proposal provided the project incorporates green space.
“Bulwadda wrote a letter seeking permission to develop City Square. I support the proposal, provided he retains the greenery we have there now, perhaps by incorporating greenery on every floor of the building,” Nalweyiso said.
Her remarks come amid an ongoing debate over Bulwadda’s proposal to transform part of City Square into a modern commercial development.
Nalweyiso also questioned concerns that the open space would be needed as an emergency refuge in the event of a major fire in Kampala.
“I have heard people asking where everyone would run in case fire broke out in Kampala. But how many people could actually run to City Square, and have people really been using it for that purpose?” she asked.
The General argued that the proposal should instead be judged against the alternatives available to Kampala.
She said she would only favour another investor over Bulwadda if that person came forward with a stronger development plan.
“I would only support someone else if they came with a better plan. If Bulwadda is proposing a ten-floor building, for example, then someone else should come with a proposal that offers something better, perhaps twenty floors or greater value,” she said.
“For now, I am fully behind Hajji Bulwadda.”
Her comments amount to a strong endorsement of considering the businessman’s proposal, while making preservation of greenery an important condition.
The proposal was submitted to President Museveni for consideration and has since been referred for assessment and consultations involving the relevant government authorities.
Nalweyiso’s position is that Kampala should not necessarily have to choose between investment and environmental preservation.
Instead, she appears to favour a development model in which the city can benefit from modern infrastructure while retaining some of the green character of City Square.
The General’s comments therefore add another voice to the growing debate over whether Kampala’s valuable public spaces should remain in their current form or be incorporated into carefully designed modern developments. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
