President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry for Kampala and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to scrutinise a proposal to redevelop two acres of City Square into a modern, solar-powered commercial complex.
The proposal, submitted by city businessman Hajj Hassan Bulwadda, seeks to transform part of the prominent public space in the heart of Kampala into an eco-friendly real estate development featuring a hotel, shopping mall and other commercial facilities.
In a letter dated August 30, 2026, addressed to the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, Museveni instructed the minister to study the proposal and consult KCCA before reporting back to him.
“I have received a letter from Hajj Hassan Bulwadda dated August, 18, 2026, proposing to develop the two acres at City Square in Kampala into a modern, eco-friendly real-estate complex, with a hotel, shopping mall, etc., using solar power, etc,” Museveni wrote, asking the Minister to study the proposal, discuss with Kampala Capital City Authority and get back to him.
Bulwadda’s August 18 proposal envisions a commercial complex designed around renewable energy, with solar power expected to meet its energy needs. If approved, the project would significantly alter the current character and use of City Square, one of Kampala’s most recognisable public spaces.
Located in the city centre, City Square is a gazetted public green space that has historically served as a venue for national celebrations, public gatherings and recreation.
For decades, City Square has provided one of the few open spaces in the congested city centre where people can gather, rest and participate in public events. Any move to convert part of it into a commercial complex is therefore expected to attract scrutiny over public access, planning, environmental considerations and the preservation of Kampala’s remaining green and open spaces.
The proposed redevelopment is likely to reignite debate over the future of Kampala’s public spaces, particularly as the city continues to experience rapid commercialisation and urban development.