President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has backed a proposal to transform Kampala’s City Square into a commercial complex featuring a hotel and shopping mall, rejecting objections raised by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba.
The proposed redevelopment would change the use of the public space in the heart of Kampala, turning it into a commercial facility intended to accommodate hospitality and retail businesses.
The plan has attracted attention because of City Square’s location in the central business district and its role as an open public space.
Basajjabalaba had reportedly challenged the proposal, but President Museveni rejected his claims and backed the redevelopment plan, according to NTV News.
Details of the President’s decision, including the conditions attached to the proposed development, were not immediately available.
It was also not immediately clear how the project would be financed, who would undertake the development, or whether the proposal had received all the necessary planning and regulatory approvals.
The proposed transformation raises questions about the future use of public land in Kampala, including how commercial development can be balanced with the need to preserve accessible public spaces.
Further details on the implementation timeline, the ownership and management of the proposed complex, and the response of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) were not immediately available.
