By TV10 Business News Desk
A proposed state-of-the-art development at Kampala’s City Square has drawn attention, with Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness and Value Addition, Dr. Hilary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja, calling on Ugandans to embrace the project being undertaken by entrepreneur Hajji Bulwadda.
In a statement promoting the development, Dr. Kisanja described the project as the fulfillment of a vision dating back more than a century, arguing that City Square has historically been earmarked for a major development.
According to Kisanja, the original physical plan for Kampala, developed by the colonial administration between 1901 and 1902, envisioned the site hosting a Government Headquarters.
He said the plan was subsequently disrupted by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 and the financial pressures it created, leaving the prime central-city site underutilised for decades.
Kisanja now argues that Bulwadda’s development presents an opportunity to finally transform the site into a modern commercial and business landmark.
Green Space Debate
The proposed development has also raised questions about the future of green space at City Square.
Responding to concerns from environmental advocates, Kisanja argued that the existing vegetation at the site is limited and does not constitute significant green infrastructure.
He said Bulwadda’s proposed design is expected to incorporate modern approaches to urban greening, including rooftop gardens, vertical green walls, landscaped terraces and maintained green spaces.
According to Kisanja, the intention is not simply to replace existing vegetation with concrete but to integrate greenery into the new development.
However, the claims about the project’s environmental impact and the amount of green space that will ultimately be provided will depend on the approved architectural plans, environmental assessments and implementation of the proposed design.
Development and Kampala’s Changing Skyline
Kisanja also linked the City Square development to broader efforts to modernise Kampala, citing projects such as the redevelopment of Nakivubo Channel, developments around the city’s Golf Course and the establishment of industrial parks.
He argued that major development projects often face public criticism before their long-term benefits become apparent.
According to him, the City Square project should similarly be assessed within the wider objective of transforming Kampala into a modern commercial centre.
Jobs and Economic Opportunities
Kisanja further highlighted the potential economic benefits of the project, particularly employment and business opportunities. He said the development could generate more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, benefiting professionals in construction and engineering as well as young people and businesses involved in supplying goods and services.
He also argued that a modern commercial facility at the heart of Kampala could expand the tax base and increase economic activity, potentially generating additional revenue for government agencies.
An Appeal to Ugandans
Kisanja described Bulwadda as a young Ugandan entrepreneur choosing to invest his wealth locally rather than taking it abroad.
He called on Ugandans to support local investors and assess the project based on its potential contribution to the economy and the transformation of Kampala.
He further urged the public to view the development as an attempt to give new purpose to a strategically located piece of land that, according to his account, has remained largely underutilised for more than a century.
The City Square project is therefore emerging as part of the broader debate over how Kampala should balance commercial development, historical planning, environmental concerns and public space.
For supporters such as Kisanja, the development represents an opportunity to modernise the heart of the capital. For environmental and urban-planning stakeholders, questions surrounding green space, public interest, planning compliance and the project’s long-term impact remain important considerations.
Dr. Hilary Emmanuel Musoke Kisanja
Senior Presidential Advisor on Agribusiness and Value Addition
