Museveni Backs Plan to Turn Kampala’s City Square into Commercial Complex

President Yoweri Museveni has backed a proposal to redevelop Kampala’s City Square, also known as Constitution Square, into a modern commercial complex featuring a hotel, shopping mall and other facilities(Daily Monitor UG)

The proposal, presented by Hajji Hassan Bulwadda, seeks to transform approximately two acres of the site into an eco-friendly, solar-powered real estate development.

In August 2026, Museveni 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.

The proposed redevelopment comes amid a longstanding dispute over the land involving businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, who has argued that he retains development rights under a 2001 tender agreement.

Attorney General Sam Mayanja has maintained that the earlier lease held by Basajjabalaba or companies associated with him was rescinded, arguing that the land remains public property.

Basajjabalaba, however, has maintained that his company paid approximately Shs1.6 billion for the development rights and is pursuing compensation following the cancellation of the arrangement.

The proposal has sparked debate over the future of one of the few remaining open green spaces in Kampala’s central business district.

While supporters argue that the project could modernise the city’s commercial infrastructure and improve the use of prime urban land, critics are concerned that the redevelopment could reduce public space available for recreation and relaxation.

As consultations continue, questions remain over how the proposed commercial project would accommodate the public’s need for open green spaces.

What do you think? Should City Square be redeveloped into a commercial complex or preserved as a public green space?​