{UAH} The changing face of Kampala

The changing face of Kampala

By Lillian Namusoke Magezi, Stephen Ssenkaaba

Added 16th October 2019 03:46 PM

How times change! The raw rustic landscape that defined our beloved capital Kampala is a thing of the past.

Green has gone. So has the colonial, Asian architecture that often reminded us of imperialism. And in their place? The high rise, concrete character of urban development. But is this really development?

This picture story shows that in much of Kampala's rising skyline, we have gained as much as we have lost. The virgin green spaces have all disappeared, replaced by the artificial concrete pavements and weird skyscrapers. An urban slum, you might call it. But we like it nonetheless- more for the convenient stores than the convenience of its fresh air which hardly exists.

Bank of Uganda

Bank of Uganda was opened on August 15, 1966. According to the bank's website, its first premises were at Liverpool House, (which stood where Jubilee House is now) on Plot 14 at the junction of Parliament Avenue (former Obote Avenue) and Impala Avenue (former Portal Avenue).

The building was leased as a temporary headquarters of the bank. Construction of the bank's permanent premises started at the end of 1967. The bank's current headquarters, comprising of two buildings referred to as "The Old Building" and "The New Building" are situated at Plot 37/43 Kampala Road. Today the bank showcases a fine brown exterior and a finer logo that faces Kampala Road.

Wandegeya

 

Wandegeya is a neighborhood within the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital. Originally, all the land that makes up Wandegeya used to be owned by the Haji Musa Kasule family, a famous business family in Buganda. For a long time, the Kasules resisted developing their small buildings, which were put up in the early 20th century.

But word on the ground is that they have finally succumbed to pressure, and plan to redevelop their properties. They have also sold off about half of the land. The first thing one used to see in Wandegeya would be the old market, and then the numerous small shops next to the gate, just in front of the car park. However, that is no more. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has redeveloped the area with a new market and shopping arcades.

Luwum Street

 
The street was named after Archbishop Janani Luwum, a former leader of the Anglican Church in Uganda, murdered by President Idi Amin in 1977.

Originally, the shops along this street used to be owned by Asian businessmen. As such, they reflected Asian style architecture of curved domes. After the expulsion of Asians from Uganda by President Amin in 1972, Ugandans started owning shops along the street and the architecture has been gradually changing since then.

Lugogo Bypass

 

Old Taxi Park

 

It is the busier of the two main taxi parks in Kampala City and it serves towns in eastern Uganda. It accommodates over 4,000 minibuses that park and leave at intervals, in addition to thousands of commuters and petty traders, such as food vendors, trying to scratch a living.

Jinja Road roundabout

 

 

Barclays Bank at Hanington Road Plot 10

 

 Buddu House at Bombo Road

 

 Kampala road

 

Kampala township,1949

 

 

 UMSC Minaret at old Kampala hill then

 

 UMSC Minaret at old Kampala hill now

 Uganda House on Kampala Road

 Uganda Electricity Transmission Company House at Hanington Road

 

 Green Land Towers on Kampala road

 EM Plaza at Kampala Road

  

 Commercial Plaza on Kampala Road

 Crested Towers

 

 Communication house in Kampala

 Crane Chambers along Kampala Road

 

 E.Tower along Kampala Road

 Diamond Trust Bank Building on Kampala Road1

 

 ESAMI House, opened by President Museveni on 21st March 2009 at Bombo Road

 Offices for National Water at old Port Bell Road

 Workers House in Kampala

 

 Investment House of Microfinance at Wampewo Avenue in Kololo

 

 Kampala City - Serena in the foreground

 

 Mapeela House, which houses Centenary Bank Head offices

 Nalule Arcade at Nakasero Market

 Offices at Lourdel Road, opposite Ministry of Health

 Twed Towers at Yusufu Lule Road

_____________________________

On Linkedin: Peter-Rhaina Gwokto (La'Kitgum)

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall building", Jim Hightower

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