Uganda to demolish the National Theater in order to build a 36 storey modern mall
Uganda National Cultural Center (UNCC) has given the tenants at the National Theatre notice to evacuate by end of this month, reports the Observer.
The National Theatre’s prime location next to the country’s parliament building is among 51 buildings and sites in the capital city of Kampala that were constructed before the 1969. However, the iconic piano shaped building is dilapidated.
The 60 year old national theatre demolition will give way to a multi-million 36 storey modern tower that will house a shopping mall, arcades, modern restaurants, bars, cinemas, state of the art auditoriums and a six underground car parking.
UNCC is scheduled to sign a contract with the developers of the new mega project that will cost an estimated $100million. UNCC currently earns Shs2 billion (557,420 USD) and it is projecting a Shs50 billion (13,935,500 USD) annually.
Ugandans took to social media to express their discontent
Destroy all national heritages and replace them with ugly glass and ceramics. Complete with shops selling Chinese shoes and Brazilian hair. https://t.co/n8gHiiiqPV
— Allan Ssenyonga (@ssojo81) June 14, 2017
This is really outrageous. We are loosing all history in the name of pseudo development. What happened to the Shimoni land?
— Abu Tahir (@BadrMwanje) June 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/pyepar/status/874855846488006656
Even Dubai with the most spectacular steel and glass towers maintains its key heritage architectural sites… https://t.co/IF2Q9xJ0j8
— Ronald Sebuhinja K (@sebsronnie) June 14, 2017
Why demolish National Theatre… can't we find another space for that 36 storey something https://t.co/GEO71akISy
— Armstrong M😷 (@ArmsMuk) June 14, 2017
If done in good faith, and to upgrade it for both old and new tenants; good
— SIMON PETER K. OKUT (@kwaam_jr) June 14, 2017
