WHY WATOTO CHURCH BUILDING SHOULD BE PRESERVED?

As Kampala capital city keeps growing and like other cities, a number of old structures face demolition and Watoto Church building is one soon to follow soot. But why should Watoto Church building be preserved?

WATOTO CHURCH BUILDING

Founded in the 1940’s by Norman Godinho an Indian Businessman, Watoto Church building is among the ancient establishments still existing in Kampala Capital City and holds a unique heritage that many haven’t explored. The historic building is set to be demolished to pave way for a modern 12 storeyed building yet to be built. The yet to be built storeyed building will replace the heritage site with a three star hotel, 3000 seater auditorium, youth and shopping centre.

Being an iconic historic structure, the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), Historic Resource Conservation Initiatives (HRCI), Perfect Events Ltd and other conservationists have called upon preservation of this cultural heritage site such that its shape isn’t altered.

According to Emilly Drani the Executive Director CCFU, demolishing the heritage site means a great loss of Kampala city’s unique features. She calls for preservation of the heritage site since it is one of the iconic 44 historic buildings and sites that have been recorded in Kampala.

The now Watoto Church was formerly the Norman Cinema and features unique historical, social and architectural features. It is one of a kind in Kampala and Uganda at large! It is this site that was referred to in a song titled Ebinyumo by the legendary Elly Wamala the Kadongo Kamu artist. Later, its name changed to ‘The Centre of Creative Arts aka The Center this follows the overthrow of late Idi Amin Dada.

The heritage site gives reflection on how Ugandans spent their leisurely time in the 50s and 60s. By then, there was nothing like internet, DVDs players, computers or even telephones for entertainment. It comprised of a bar and nightclub well-known as the Tabloid although it was changed to Laquinta in the 1960s.

The building also hosted the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) delegates conference in 1980 in which the late Dr. Milton Obote was elected unopposed as the party president. In 2019, Watoto Church Ltd through Symbion Uganda Ltd, a multinational architectural firm forwarded an architectural design to the Directorate of Physical Planning at Kampala Capital City Authority for redevelopment which included demolition of the present building.

There is now campaign dubbed ‘Don’t demolish our heritage and #SaveWatotoChurch.’ Emilly appeals Watoto Church to review its development plan to protect the unique architectural design of the building. She added that the management at Watoto Church can consider establishing a new building somewhere else on the site but leave the historic site intact. #SaveWatotoChurch#SaveUganda’sHeritage!

Other historic and cultural sites in and around Kampala worth exploring on cultural safari in Uganda include among others;

1. Gaddafi National Mosque
2. Baha’i Temple
3. Uganda Martyrs Shrine
4.  Kabaka’s palace
5. Rubaga Cathedral
6. Kasubi Tombs
7. Namirembe Cathedral
8. Uganda Museum
9. Kabaka’s Lake
10. Coronation site in Buddo
11.  Ndere Troupe Cultural Center