Uganda’s Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Norbert Mao, has sparked a debate after making a controversial comparison between Uganda’s State House in Entebbe and a shopping mall.
Mao, who is also the President General of the Democratic Party, expressed disappointment over the demolition of the old colonial-era State House and the replacement of it with a more modern design.
Speaking at an event in Kampala to mark World Intellectual Property Day, Mao reminisced about the original State House, which he described as a building with a lot of history.
The old State House, constructed during the colonial period, had served as the official residence for British colonial governors and later, Uganda’s presidents after independence.
It was a symbol of authority and Uganda’s political journey, holding significant historical value.
Mao said, “I felt bad when the Chinese destroyed the old State House building to build this one. The old State House had a history.”
He expressed his displeasure over the modern design, likening the new structure to a common commercial building, such as Akamwesi or Forest Mall in Kampala.
He described the current State House as resembling a “shopping mall,” and emphasized how the modern building lacked the character and heritage of the original structure.
The decision to replace the original State House was made in the early 2000s, as part of a broader effort to modernize Uganda’s key national infrastructures.
The new, larger State House was built with financial and technical support from China and is designed with modern amenities to host diplomatic events, Cabinet meetings, and other state functions.
However, Mao’s remarks have raised concerns among heritage conservationists and members of the public about the preservation of Uganda’s architectural history.
Some believe that the destruction of such historical sites for the sake of modernization erases important pieces of the country’s identity.
The criticism has also brought attention to the involvement of foreign contractors in shaping the country’s physical and cultural landscape.
