KAMPALA — Cabinet has reversed a proposal to redevelop Constitutional Square in Kampala, opting to retain the site’s existing legal status as a protected national heritage monument.
The decision follows concerns over the site’s historical significance, legal protection, environmental considerations and urban planning implications, according to the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba.
In a statement announcing the Cabinet decision, Lumumba said the government had reconsidered the proposed development of the public space, formally known as Constitutional Square, and resolved to abandon the plan.
“Cabinet has decided to reverse the proposal for the development of City Square, formally known as Constitutional Square, and retain the site’s existing legal status,” Lumumba said.
She emphasised that the square is a protected heritage site whose preservation is backed by existing legal instruments.
According to the minister, the site’s protection dates back to 2007 and is recognised under the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023, as well as a heritage protection instrument issued in 2024.
The protected area covers approximately 1.172 hectares, comprising plots 5, 6 and 7 in Kampala’s central business district.
Constitutional Square also houses the 1945 War Memorial, erected in commemoration of Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
Lumumba said the square and the memorial form an important part of Uganda’s national history, requiring any decisions concerning the site to respect its historical and legal significance.
“The Square and its memorial are part of our national history. Decisions about the site must respect that history and its protected status,” she said.
The reversal means the proposed redevelopment will not proceed under the plan considered by Cabinet, with the site retaining its current legal status.
“The public should therefore be clear: Cabinet has reversed the development proposal. Constitutional Square will retain its existing legal status,” Lumumba added.
Constitutional Square is one of Kampala’s notable public spaces, serving as a memorial site and a reminder of Uganda’s contribution to the two world wars.
The Cabinet decision underscores the government’s position that the site’s heritage status must be respected in decisions concerning its future use and management.
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