Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena has called on President Yoweri Museveni to keep Kampala’s City Square as a public space and consider another location for the proposed eco-friendly hotel.
Akena was speaking at the UPC headquarters in Kampala as debate continues over businessman Hajj Hassan Bulwadda’s proposal to develop about two acres of City Square into a commercial complex featuring a hotel, shopping mall and other facilities.
Museveni has directed Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda to study the proposal in consultation with KCCA and report back to him. The proposal has therefore not yet received final approval.
Akena questioned why City Square should be used for the hotel when other locations could be considered.
“Eco Hotel. You mean that’s the only place you can put an eco hotel? Put an eco hotel anywhere else,” Akena said.
He argued that Kampala needs to preserve its remaining open and green spaces instead of replacing them with concrete developments.
“We need to plan the green spaces for tomorrow’s generation. We can’t just build everything in concrete,” he said.
Akena also said government should use established institutions such as Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) when undertaking major public investments.
His position adds to growing public debate over the future of City Square. Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has also opposed the proposed redevelopment, arguing that the space should remain open and public.
For now, the government review remains ongoing, with Minister Kabanda and KCCA expected to assess the proposal before any decision is made on the future of the historic Kampala space.0773997444
