Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has rejected plans to develop part of Constitutional Square into a hotel and shopping mall, saying the city cannot surrender one of its few remaining open public spaces to private development.
It all started with a viral letter written by the City Tycoon Hajj Hassan Bulwadda, dated 18 August 2026, to the President, where he proposes development of Constitutional Square (also called City Square) in central Kampala.
In it, Bulwadda proposes turning the roughly two-acre public green space into a modern, eco-friendly real-estate complex with a solar-powered hotel, shopping mall, and other commercial facilities.
President Yoweri Museveni received it and, in a letter dated 30 August 2026, directed Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda to study the proposal with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and report back.
Last week, the purported letter authored by President Yoweri Museveni and also copied to the Vice President Hon. Jessica Alupo , Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja went viral, prompting response from neitzens
Following this development, Balimwezo on Monday noted that a majority of the public has opposed the proposed project, particularly through social media discussions, and that the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) leadership, specifically, the political wing is opposed to the development.
He said President Yoweri Museveni has not issued a directive approving the project, as was the case with the redevelopment of Nakivubo water Channel with business man Hamis Kiggundu, but instead directed the Minister in charge of Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the investor to handle the matter, in accordance with necessary procedure.
Balimwezo insists that KCCA was not given a copy of the President’s communication, prompting him to immediately convene a meeting of the KCCA Executive Committee to consider the proposal.
The Lord Mayor said the meeting resolved that the square should be preserved because of its environmental, historical and public importance.
He noted that this is not the first attempt to develop the site, recalling that in 2002, city businessman Hassan Bassajja Balaba proposed putting up arcades at City Square.
Balimwezo said senior members of the public at the time, led by Bidandi Ssali, advised KCCA and city councillors against the proposal because of the environmental value of the space and its importance to the public.
He said the same concerns remain relevant today, particularly as Kampala faces increased construction, traffic congestion and the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
Balimwezo described Constitutional Square as one of the few remaining open spaces in the city centre, saying it provides green cover, fresh air and space where members of the public can seek refuge during emergencies such as fires.
He said the square is also important for flood control because its open ground allows rainwater to soak into the soil instead of adding to surface runoff.
Balimwezo says Article 237(2) of the Constitution, gives leaders a responsibility to safeguard public land.
He added that KCCA is also working within a wider government strategy to increase tree cover, including plans to plant about 600 million trees, making the preservation of available green spaces important.
The Lord Mayor said KCCA has written to Attorney General Sam Mayanja seeking legal advice, to the government on the proposed development and that a stop order has been issued on the land.
He also said he has written to the KCCA Executive Director over the closure of several roads in Kampala, calling for affected roads to be reopened to ease congestion and reduce the risk of flooding.
The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has also rejected the proposal.
FDC Vice Chairperson Robert Centenary described the plan by businessman Hajj Hassan Bulwadda as “ill-conceived” and “unpatriotic,” arguing that Constitutional Square is a gazetted National Cultural Monument and Historical Site.
He said the square is public land held in trust for the people of Kampala and cannot simply be transferred, leased, sold or otherwise alienated for private development.
“Constitutional Square is not idle land for grabbing. It is a gazetted National Cultural Monument and Historical Site,” Franco said.
He questioned the description of the proposed project as eco-friendly, arguing that installing solar panels on a private hotel would not compensate for the loss of a public green space.
“If the businessman is serious about investment, I know Hajj Bulwadda is a man of means, let him buy private land on the open market and establish that facility,” he said.
The FDC warned that it would seek court intervention if there is any further attempt to transfer, lease, sell or otherwise alienate the land.
