Ssenyonyi criticises proposed commercial redevelopment of City Square

What the report says

Leader of the Opposition in Uganda’s Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has spoken out against a proposal to redevelop Kampala’s City Square for commercial use, according to Nile Post. He argued that the plan would put one of the city’s remaining public green spaces at risk and should not proceed without careful scrutiny.

In the report, Ssenyonyi said he initially doubted the authenticity of the proposal, then described it as deeply troubling once he realized it was serious. He framed the issue as part of a broader concern about public land in Kampala, warning against the loss of spaces that are open to all residents.

Ssenyonyi called on the government and Kampala Capital City Authority to protect City Square and manage public land more transparently. He said public spaces should be expanded rather than reduced, and emphasized that once such land is converted to commercial buildings, it is difficult to recover.

The story is significant because City Square is a prominent civic area in central Kampala and part of a wider debate over how urban land should be used. In general, discussions over green space and public land often involve balancing development goals with access, environmental value and civic identity, though the specific decision on City Square was not detailed in the evidence provided.