Cabinet has reversed a proposal to redevelop Kampala’s City Square, formally known as Constitution Square, citing the site’s protected heritage status and the need to preserve its historical significance.
Minister for Information and Communication Technology and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba said the decision means the proposed redevelopment will not proceed under the plan that had been presented to government.
“Cabinet has decided to reverse the proposal for the development of City Square, formally known as Constitution Square, and retain the site’s existing legal status,” Kasule Lumumba said.
She explained that Constitution Square is a protected heritage site whose preservation is anchored in Uganda’s legal framework. She added that any decisions concerning the site must respect its historical importance and the laws governing its protection.
“Constitution Square is a protected heritage site. Its protection dates back to 2007 and is recognised under the Museums and Monuments Act, 2023, and the heritage protection instrument issued in 2024,” she said.
The protected area covers approximately 1.172 hectares, comprising plots 5, 6 and 7. It contains the 1945 War Memorial, which commemorates Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
“The Square and its memorial are part of our national history. Decisions about the site must respect that history and its protected status,” Kasule Lumumba said.
She said the government’s position had been settled and urged the public to understand that the proposed redevelopment would not proceed under the plan previously presented.
The decision places the preservation of the historic site at the centre of the government’s position on the future of one of Kampala’s prominent public spaces.
