By Aggrey Baba
Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda has backed Hajji Hassan Bulwadda’s ambitious plan to transform part of Kampala’s Constitutional Square into a modern commercial and hospitality complex, saying she has no objection to the proposed investment provided the developer demonstrates how the site’s greenery will be preserved.
Kabanda’s position comes as a six-member committee of ministers she appointed continues examining Bulwadda’s proposal following President Museveni’s directive that she consult relevant government agencies and report back on the project.
Museveni received Bulwadda’s August 18 proposal and subsequently directed Kabanda to study the plan with KCCA. The proposal seeks to develop the prime city-centre property into a modern, eco-friendly complex featuring commercial facilities, a hotel and solar energy.
According to a report published by Bukedde on Monday, Kabanda said she had written to the estate mogul asking him to provide a detailed plan showing how the environment would be protected.
“If Hajj Bulwadda’s plan demonstrates how the environment will be protected, I have no problem with allowing him to undertake the development he wants,” Kabanda said.
Her position effectively puts the emphasis on finding a way of combining modern investment with environmental conservation, rather than treating the two as incompatible.
And Hajj Bulwadda’s proposal already incorporates several features aimed at maintaining the public and environmental character of the site. Details of the plan indicate that one of the proposed buildings would accommodate about 1,000 shops and a 250-room hotel, while the area in front would retain grass and trees, providing a free public relaxation space with water features and areas for photography.
The second building, facing Kampala Road, would accommodate about 2,500 shops, bringing the proposed retail capacity to roughly 3,500 shops.
The project also provides for free public toilets, free Wi-Fi, banking facilities and spaces where people can rest, unlike today, when the City Square in its current state, is restricted to the ordinary Kampala dwellers. Young entrepreneurs are expected to receive priority in accessing some of the commercial spaces, while a tourism exhibition facility would provide the Ministry of Tourism with space to showcase Uganda’s attractions and products.
Greenery would also be incorporated into the upper levels of the buildings, while solar power would form part of the energy system.
The President’s own description of the proposal as a “modern, eco-friendly real estate complex” underlines the emphasis placed on combining investment with modern environmental features, as it also comes with a wider urban-development dimension, comprising a modern commercial centre in the heart of Kampala which would create new trading opportunities, expand hospitality facilities, provide spaces for young entrepreneurs and introduce additional public amenities in a prime location.
For the young tycoon, the Kampala Minister’s position represents an important endorsement of the principle that the capital can embrace major private investment while still protecting the environment and providing facilities accessible to ordinary city users.
The ministerial committee is expected to continue its consultations on Tuesday and going forward, before submitting its recommendations to the President. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
