The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has urged government to preserve the Constitutional Square in Kampala and address chronic water shortages that have left many households without a reliable supply following a prolonged dry spell.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, at Uganda House, the Party Spokesperson, Sharon Arach Oyat said the square, formerly known as City Square, has served as a public park since 1903 and should continue in that role.
She said it was only during the NRM era that the site had faced persistent threats, including a 2001 attempt to lease it to a private tycoon that was blocked by then Local Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali.
“The public that once freely used the park can no longer access it, even though it hosted President Museveni after his swearing-in in January 1986,” Oyat said.
Oyat noted that the square is an important green space that improves air quality and absorbs rainwater in a city dominated by concrete. Kampala has already lost other open spaces, including Lugogo playgrounds and Namanve forest.
“A mature tree takes decades to grow and cannot be easily replaced,” she said, calling for a policy that treats public land as a public treasure.
On water, Oyat said the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) continues to struggle to supply households full-time despite Uganda’s abundant natural water bodies. Population growth, an ageing pipe network, vandalism and illegal electricity connections that disrupt treatment plants have all worsened the situation.
UPC called on the government, KCCA, municipal authorities, the Ministry of Health and NWSC to establish rapid-response teams for toilets, pipe repairs and waste management ahead of heavy rains .
Oyat said government institutions that fail to pay water bills and officials accused of stealing public funds should not leave essential services underfunded while citizens go without water in their taps.
