FDC opposes proposed development of constitutional square, threatens court action

What the report says

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has rejected a proposal to turn part of Kampala’s Constitutional Square into an eco-friendly hotel and shopping mall, saying it would fight any move to remove the land from public use. In a media briefing reported by The Independent Uganda, FDC vice chairperson Robert Franco said the party views the plan as inappropriate and argued that the square should remain open to the public.

According to the report, the proposal came from Kampala businessman Hajj Hassan Bulwadda, who had written to President Yoweri Museveni seeking permission to develop about two acres of the site. The FDC said Constitutional Square is a gazetted national cultural monument and historical site, and that it is public land held in trust for the people of Kampala. Franco said the opposition party does not believe it can be transferred, sold, leased or otherwise allocated for private development.

The party also argued that the city needs more green and civic space, not another commercial project, and warned that converting such land could worsen urban congestion and flooding. The report notes that FDC urged Kampala city and government officials to oppose the proposal and said it would pursue legal action, including asking court for a caveat on the land, if any transfer or alienation is attempted.

More broadly, the briefing also touched on school funding, menstrual health support for girls and a school feeding programme, while the party renewed calls for the release of opposition figure Kizza Besigye.