UPC PRESIDENT JIMMY AKENA WARNS PRESIDENT M7 ON PROPOSED CITY SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT

By Musa Rwamigoye 

 

 

 

UPC President Hon. Jimmy Akena Obote has condemned and opposed the proposed redevelopment of Kampala’s City Square, warning President Yoweri Museveni against allowing the capital’s remaining public and green spaces to be swallowed by private commercial interests.

 

Hon. Jimmy Akena, speaking at the Uganda People’s Congress (IPC) headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, described City Square as a historical public space that should be protected for future generations rather than converted into another commercial complex

 

 

His remarks come amid growing controversy over a proposal by businessman Hajj Hassan Bulwadda to develop two acres of City Square into an eco-friendly real estate complex comprising a hotel, shopping mall and other commercial facilities.

 

President Museveni last month directed Minister for Kampala City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda to study the proposal in consultation with KCCA and report back to him.

 

But Akena said the proposal reflects a wider problem in the way public assets are being handled, arguing that Uganda must establish clear systems for government investment rather than allowing State House to become involved in individual business arrangements.

 

 

 

Hon Jimmy Akena, son of former President Milton Obote Aken insisted that places like City Square and constitutional square are historical monuments and that such spaces should not simply be handed over to private developers.

 

He questioned why a proposed hotel would have to be located on City Square when other sites are available in Kampala.

 

“Eco Hotel. You mean that’s the only place you can put an eco hotel? Put an eco hotel anywhere else,” he said.

 

Akena indicated that the issue goes beyond the proposed hotel or shopping mall. He argued that Kampala has steadily lost open spaces and that turning every available piece of land into concrete threatens the quality of life of future generations.

 

 

 

“We need to plan the green spaces for tomorrow’s generation. We can’t just build everything in concrete,” he said.

 

President Obote’s son also invoked Uganda’s history of public investment, pointing to several buildings around Kampala that he said were established with specific public purposes. He cited the Uganda Housing Construction Company, the former People’s Bank and the Upper Hotel, arguing that previous governments had deliberately invested in institutions and infrastructure intended to serve workers and ordinary Ugandans. 

 

 

 

Hon Akena said Uganda should instead strengthen institutions such as the Uganda Development Corporation to handle strategic government investments.

 

“If government wants to invest for something, we invest through UDC,” he said, arguing that government already has structures through which public investments can be undertaken.

 

His intervention adds to mounting resistance to the City Square proposal. Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has also opposed redevelopment, saying the square should remain open and protected as public space.

 

 

 

Hon Akena’s disappointment with President Museveni on giving out city square to businessman also shocked COSASE committee members yesterday. 

 

 

 

Shock entangled members of Parliament on the COSASE committee after Kampala businessman and Haba Group of Companies owner Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba informed the committee members that he is the rightful holder of the lease for City Square and questioned why efforts are being made to hand the property to another businessman for development.

 

 

 

Basajjabalaba who was appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Wednesday, accompanied by his lawyers, to explain the Shs140 billion advanced to him by Bank of Uganda.

 

 

 

He told the committee that he acquired the lease for City Square in 2002, initially for five years, before it was later extended to 49 years.

 

 

 

“KCC advertised the square for redevelopment and we did the bidding and we were the winners. So we paid Shs1.6 billion as premium and I will give you the receipt, the offer letter and everything and you will check,” he said.

 

 

 

Hajji Basajjabalaba said the proposed redevelopment would have preserved the green space above the square, with commercial activities developed below. The arrangement provided for a five-year lease from 2002, with an option for a further 49 years.

 

 

 

“I acquired the lease for City Square in 2002, initially for five years and later extended it to 49 years. I am the rightful owner. I wonder why some people want to give it to another rich man. If they want to take it away, they must compensate me first,” Basajjabalaba told the committee.

 

 

 

Hajji Basajjabalaba questioned the interest shown by businessman Hajji Bulwadda in developing City Square, referring to a letter by President Museveni concerning the property.

 

“City Square is mine. I got its lease in 2002. Hajj Bulwadda is just wasting time admiring it, As for now, I am waiting to see if one property will be given to two people,” he said.

 

 

 

Committee Chairperson Hon Muwada Nkunyingi questioned the circumstances under which Mr Basajjabalaba acquired interests in the land.

 

 

 

Also Hon. Hakim Kizza (NUP, Bukoto County South) said he was shocked to learn that City Square already had an interested party despite presidential guidance asking KCCA to study possibilities for developing the area.