The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has welcomed Cabinet’s decision to preserve Constitutional Square and called on the Prime Minister to compensate downtown traders whose goods were destroyed by floods last year.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, at Uganda House, the UPC party Spokesperson, Sharon Arach Oyat said the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, had announced that Cabinet, meeting at State House Entebbe on October 26th, reversed the proposal to redevelop the Square and resolved to retain it as a monumental heritage site.
“This has been the consistent policy position of UPC, the Square is not idle land but a critical ecological infrastructure, heritage and public space,” Oyat said.
She called on the government to gazette and protect the remaining green spaces, wetlands and public parks across the country, arguing that historical sites and government land should be clearly identified to prevent people from later being treated inhumanely for settling on unprotected property.
Turning to the plight of downtown traders, Oyat said many had lost merchandise when their premises flooded following works on a drainage channel in the Kikuubo area.
She noted that the government had pledged compensation, with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja promising individual payments of about UGX 30 million to affected traders. However, a year later, she said, no payments had been made.
“If you make a pledge try to fulfill it. If you are unable to fulfill it in time, go back to the people you made a commitment to,” Oyat noted.
Oyat stated that many Ugandan businesses depend on loans and are already struggling as the shilling loses value, leaving affected traders under increasing financial pressure.
UPC urged the Prime Minister to address the matter urgently and honour the compensation commitment before more businesses close and livelihoods are further disrupted.
