In an attempt to beautify Kampala, keep it green

Mar 28, 2007

EFFORTS to beautify Kampala are in high gear. The face of the country had been neglected for long. However, it should be kept green in the drive to beautify it.

By Pamela. Ankunda

EFFORTS to beautify Kampala are in high gear. The face of the country had been neglected for long. However, it should be kept green in the drive to beautify it.

The battle against the location of the Garden City complex and Shoprite-Game shopping mall, on grounds that they were to be built in wetlands, was lost.

More green spots are being replaced with permanent structures and the city is gradually changing into a sight similar to that of a stone quarry. Yet when our homes in the outskirts are water logged, we desperately question why God cursed us.

Previously, we had Centenary Park which was a water sponge during heavy rains, and a place to relax amidst the blazing sun. The fence being erected around the park suggests that a certain class of people will be locked out because of their low status. Society has people who feel restricted by fences and gates.

The news that the park had been leased to Sarah Kizito to develop it into bridal gardens while keeping it green was received with optimism. Sadly, the the park houses more permanent structures than trees. Details of the terms of the lease have not been a subject of public debate, probably because few know them.

But whatever they are, it will be very expensive for KCC to regain the park because of the heavy investment Kizito is putting up. If the lease is renewed when it expires, more permanent structures will be put up and leave us with less green vegetation. We cannot claim to beautify the city while forgetting to preserve nature.

In future we will be at war with our conscience over the blanket approvals for developers to deprive the city of green belts. At the moment we are not sure how much green will be left in Kampala in a few years to come, thanks to urban planners and politicians.

We are suffering from the effects of destroying wetlands. Hopefully, the few green public places left in the city, such as the Constitution Square, will be left to live.

Kampala City is littered with ageing and ugly buildings, polythene bags (buveera) and broken sewerage systems, and it stinks. Only green parks can give us the fresh air we desperately need to continue breathing.

We need places that provide a healthy living environment, and where couples from the lowest social class who cannot afford a treat at Munyonyo poolside will be part of a beautiful Kampala.

The writer is a student of Makerere University

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