Monuments should be made visitor-friendly
A number of green spaces within Kampala were rehabilitated in preparation for the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) last year. Places like the triangle at the junction of Bombo and Kampala roads had seats placed in them for visitors to relax, a fence, flowers and plants to beautify them.
By Ephraim Kamuhangire
A number of green spaces within Kampala were rehabilitated in preparation for the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) last year. Places like the triangle at the junction of Bombo and Kampala roads had seats placed in them for visitors to relax, a fence, flowers and plants to beautify them. The western section of the Sheraton Hotel gardens has been turned into a resort for visitors with about 30 seats and rubbish bins.
The compound is well maintained and although the fountain is no longer in service, the site is visitor-friendly not only during weekdays but also on weekends when wedding receptions are held and newly-weds flock there to take photographs.
The Constitution Square and the World War II Memorial grounds which used to be resting sites for lunchtime goers, idlers and visitors to the Central Police Station, not to mention a venue for political rallies, civic gatherings and exhibitions, have now been rehabilitated and painted. The walkways are also lined with yellow flowers. The grounds around the War Memorial are also well maintained.
I, however, make the following observations and recommendations on some of the memorial grounds and monuments in the city.
The Constitution Square
The monument is incomplete. A plaque to inform visitors about what the monument stands for should be placed on the platform. The monument was last painted in preparation for CHOGM.
The walkways at the square, lined with flowers to the east and west of the monument, serve people crossing from Buganda Road to Kampala Road. The park is, however, empty although trees have been planted there. Seats and rubbish bins should be placed in the park in order to attract visitors.
Second World War Memorial
There is a wire barrage at the entrance to the park which hinders visitors from entering the site, This makes the renovation appear incomplete. There is only one walkway in the memorial. Other walkways should have been constructed at all corners of the park, and seats and rubbish bins fitted in the park to attract visitors.
The platform for Mutesa II memorial
This is located at the roundabout between Grand Imperial Hotel and Standard Chartered Bank. The platform is, however, not visitor-compliant. The words inscribed are of a small font size and are many.
The Independence Monument
This was beautified in preparation for CHOGM. The label “Independence Monument†is in black and white print. The semi-circular wall around it destroyed the artist’s original goal of having the monument viewed by people from every direction.
The name of the sculptor, Gregory Maloba, has been removed. Artists normally inscribe their names on their artwork in order to provide authenticity.
This reminds me of the gun near the Entebbe Municipality offices which has lost its historical value and authenticity because the additional features around it and the paintings changed its originality.
Similarly, the paintings on the wall behind the monument have no meaning. If they were intended to depict episodes in Uganda’s history, they lack chronology. Some walkways have been provided but people with disabilities were not adequately cated for in the design. Seats and rubbish bins should also be provided to cater for visitors.
A notable improvement is that the site is no longer a toilet facility for idlers and people with mental problems. It could, however, become one once again unless it is provided with visitor-friendly attractions.
The Kaggwa Kawalya Memorial
This is located at the front of Umber House on Kampala Road. The coat of paint is peeling off and requires a new coat that is long lasting.
The words inscribed on it are too many. The memorial was erected at one of the busiest roads in the city, which casts a bad image as far as monumental preservation is concerned. The memorial should be made presentable.
The Stride
This is a new monument located between the parliamentary buildings and the Ministry of Finance, adjacent to the Serena Conference Centre. The monument was constructed to commemorate CHOGM. I thank the Ugandan engineers for providing space for the erection of The Stride. The outlook of the monument clearly depicts the true meaning of the Commonwealth - a family moving together forward.
Like the Sheraton Hotel gardens, there are visitor-friendly facilities which have been provided around the monument. There are walkways, rubbish bins and seats for visitors to relax, read newspapers and mediate.
Efforts should, therefore, be made to ensure that parks and monuments are visitor-friendly and that they are well maintained for us to preserve our history and beautify the city.
The writer is the former Commissioner for museums and monuments
A number of green spaces within Kampala were rehabilitated in preparation for the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) last year. Places like the triangle at the junction of Bombo and Kampala roads had seats placed in them for visitors to relax, a fence, flowers and plants to beautify them. The western section of the Sheraton Hotel gardens has been turned into a resort for visitors with about 30 seats and rubbish bins.
The compound is well maintained and although the fountain is no longer in service, the site is visitor-friendly not only during weekdays but also on weekends when wedding receptions are held and newly-weds flock there to take photographs.
The Constitution Square and the World War II Memorial grounds which used to be resting sites for lunchtime goers, idlers and visitors to the Central Police Station, not to mention a venue for political rallies, civic gatherings and exhibitions, have now been rehabilitated and painted. The walkways are also lined with yellow flowers. The grounds around the War Memorial are also well maintained.
I, however, make the following observations and recommendations on some of the memorial grounds and monuments in the city.
The Constitution Square
The monument is incomplete. A plaque to inform visitors about what the monument stands for should be placed on the platform. The monument was last painted in preparation for CHOGM.
The walkways at the square, lined with flowers to the east and west of the monument, serve people crossing from Buganda Road to Kampala Road. The park is, however, empty although trees have been planted there. Seats and rubbish bins should be placed in the park in order to attract visitors.
Second World War Memorial
There is a wire barrage at the entrance to the park which hinders visitors from entering the site, This makes the renovation appear incomplete. There is only one walkway in the memorial. Other walkways should have been constructed at all corners of the park, and seats and rubbish bins fitted in the park to attract visitors.
The platform for Mutesa II memorial
This is located at the roundabout between Grand Imperial Hotel and Standard Chartered Bank. The platform is, however, not visitor-compliant. The words inscribed are of a small font size and are many.
The Independence Monument
This was beautified in preparation for CHOGM. The label “Independence Monument†is in black and white print. The semi-circular wall around it destroyed the artist’s original goal of having the monument viewed by people from every direction.
The name of the sculptor, Gregory Maloba, has been removed. Artists normally inscribe their names on their artwork in order to provide authenticity.
This reminds me of the gun near the Entebbe Municipality offices which has lost its historical value and authenticity because the additional features around it and the paintings changed its originality.
Similarly, the paintings on the wall behind the monument have no meaning. If they were intended to depict episodes in Uganda’s history, they lack chronology. Some walkways have been provided but people with disabilities were not adequately cated for in the design. Seats and rubbish bins should also be provided to cater for visitors.
A notable improvement is that the site is no longer a toilet facility for idlers and people with mental problems. It could, however, become one once again unless it is provided with visitor-friendly attractions.
The Kaggwa Kawalya Memorial
This is located at the front of Umber House on Kampala Road. The coat of paint is peeling off and requires a new coat that is long lasting.
The words inscribed on it are too many. The memorial was erected at one of the busiest roads in the city, which casts a bad image as far as monumental preservation is concerned. The memorial should be made presentable.
The Stride
This is a new monument located between the parliamentary buildings and the Ministry of Finance, adjacent to the Serena Conference Centre. The monument was constructed to commemorate CHOGM. I thank the Ugandan engineers for providing space for the erection of The Stride. The outlook of the monument clearly depicts the true meaning of the Commonwealth - a family moving together forward.
Like the Sheraton Hotel gardens, there are visitor-friendly facilities which have been provided around the monument. There are walkways, rubbish bins and seats for visitors to relax, read newspapers and mediate.
Efforts should, therefore, be made to ensure that parks and monuments are visitor-friendly and that they are well maintained for us to preserve our history and beautify the city.
The writer is the former Commissioner for museums and monuments