The Cabinet of Uganda has decided to drop a proposal to hand over Kampala City Square, also known as Constitutional Square, for redevelopment. This decision was confirmed by Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Justine Kasule Lumumba, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre. The site's historical significance, legal protection, and environmental and urban planning concerns were considered.
Constitutional Square has been a protected heritage site since 2007 and is recognised under the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023, as well as a heritage protection instrument issued in 2024. The protected area covers approximately 1.172 hectares and comprises Plots 5, 6 and 7. It also hosts the 1945 War Memorial, which commemorates Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
The proposal to redevelop the square followed a directive by President Yoweri Museveni to the Minister for Kampala, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, and her team to assess the viability of Hajji Hassan Bulwadda’s request to develop the site into a shopping mall and other buildings. Bulwadda had expressed interest in redeveloping the square, but it is unclear if he will be offered an alternative location.
The government has no immediate plans to redevelop the square, unless the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, which is responsible for tourism sites, decides otherwise. The Minister of Information did not discuss the possibility of offering Nakivubo Settlement Primary School in exchange for Bulwadda's interest in redeveloping the square.
City businessman Hajji Hassan Basajja Balaba has also claimed leasehold rights over the land, and the Attorney General will advise the government on the appropriate course of action. Lumumba stated that the matter had not been discussed by Cabinet, and it remains unclear if Balaba will receive compensation.
Cabinet’s decision effectively halts the proposed redevelopment, preserving the square’s status as a protected historical landmark in the heart of Kampala. This move ensures that the site's historical significance and cultural importance will be maintained.
The decision was made after considering various factors, including the site's historical significance, legal protection, and environmental and urban planning concerns. The government has prioritised preserving the site's protected status, ensuring its continued importance as a historical landmark.
Key points
- The Cabinet of Uganda has dropped a proposal to redevelop Kampala's Constitutional Square due to its historical significance and legal protection.
- The site has been a protected heritage site since 2007 and is recognised under the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023.
- The decision effectively halts the proposed redevelopment, preserving the square’s status as a protected historical landmark.
