By Admin|
Kampala’s long-running struggle to balance rapid urban development with the preservation of public spaces has taken a new turn following a proposal by businessman Hajj Hassan Bulwadda to redevelop part of the city’s iconic City Square.
Bulwadda has proposed transforming about two acres of City Square into a modern, eco-friendly real estate complex featuring a hotel, shopping mall and other commercial facilities, with solar power expected to play a major role in the project.
Photo : Showing Hajji Hassan Bulwadda on the left side , who is said to have a proposal for Kampala City Square development.
The proposal has already reached the highest levels of government. President Yoweri Museveni, in a letter dated August 30, 2026, directed the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, to study the proposal in consultation with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and report back.
But while the proposed project is being presented as a modern and environmentally conscious investment, the idea of commercializing City Square is likely to generate a much bigger conversation about the future of Kampala’s remaining public green spaces.
City Square, also known as Constitutional Square, sits at the heart of Kampala and is recognised as one of the capital’s important public open spaces. Historical planning records describe it as a green open space deliberately reserved as part of Kampala’s early urban planning.
For many city residents, therefore, the square is more than just a piece of land. It represents one of the few places in the congested city centre where people can experience an open environment away from buildings, traffic and commercial activity.
Kampala has undergone rapid urbanisation, with land in the central business district becoming increasingly valuable. As buildings rise and commercial developments expand, open spaces have become increasingly important for recreation, relaxation, environmental protection and the general quality of urban life.
Photo : Showing aerial view of Kampala City Square view.
A 2025 Makerere University study on public open spaces in Kampala Central Division identified City Square among the city's important public spaces, alongside areas such as the Independence Monument, Railway Grounds and Kamwokya Children’s Park. The study highlighted the role such spaces play in recreation, social interaction and public life.
The debate, therefore, is unlikely to be simply about whether Kampala needs another hotel or shopping centre. It is about what kind of city Kampala wants to become.
Supporters of the proposal could argue that a modern, solar-powered development would generate business opportunities, attract investment and potentially contribute to the transformation of the city centre.
Critics, however, may ask whether economic development should come at the expense of one of Kampala’s few remaining open green spaces.
The key question is whether development and preservation can coexist.
Photo : S
Rather than completely replacing the existing character of City Square, authorities could consider whether any future development should preserve substantial public green space, provide unrestricted public access and protect the historical identity of the location.
For now, no final approval has been announced. The proposal is still under review, with the President directing the relevant authorities to study it and consult KCCA.
As Kampala continues to grow, the City Square debate could become an important test of the city's commitment to sustainable urban planning.
The question for Kampala is simple: should every valuable piece of open land become a commercial opportunity, or should some spaces remain public treasures for generations to come?