Hajji Hassan Bulwadda wants to turn the City Square of Kampala into a major tourist attraction, combining a modern shopping mall, hotel, landscaped greenery and recreational facilities in a proposed UGX400 billion project that could give the capital a new urban landmark.
The Kampala property mogul envisions an eco-friendly commercial complex where business and leisure can coexist, with green spaces and water fountains providing places for residents and visitors to relax, take pictures and enjoy the city centre.
“I want to build an eco-friendly commercial complex, with a shopping mall, a hotel and green spaces where people can go and relax,” Bulwadda said while explaining his vision for the prominent site.
He said his idea was informed by international travel experiences dating back to when he was 16 and travelled with his father to countries including Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as New York.
Bulwadda said the city squares he had encountered abroad demonstrated that commercial buildings could exist alongside greenery and public recreational spaces, rather than leaving valuable urban land underutilized.
He has suggested that his proposed Square could also include a playground, depending on the final design, adding to the recreational appeal of the complex.
The businessman believes the location, which he describes as Plot 001 of Kampala because of its position in the city centre, could become a destination in its own right and attract tourists who would come to experience the capital’s urban landscape.
“We shall call it ‘The Square’, and people will be coming to visit it,” he said, expressing confidence that the project could generate tourism-related income while supporting commercial activity.
His proposal also includes four floors of parking, which he says could help address shortages affecting nearby institutions, including Bank of Uganda, Central Police Station and the Supreme Court.
The project remains subject to government assessment and approval. Hajji Bulwadda says his ambition is to create a modern Kampala landmark that brings together commerce, tourism and public recreation while giving the city centre a new attraction.
