Kampala Kingdom

Kampala Kingdom, also referred to in development materials as Kingdom Kampala or Kampala Kingdom Mall, is a large mixed-use real-estate development on Nakasero Hill in central Kampala, Uganda. Despite the supplied name referring to a hotel, the canonical Wikipedia subject describes a broader mall and shopping complex rather than a standalone hotel brand. The planned development combines retail space, offices, parking, conference facilities and a 200-room four-star hotel tower. The project occupies approximately 15 acres of centrally located land formerly used by Shimoni Teacher Training College. The site is bounded by Nile Avenue, Yusuf Lule Road and De Winton Road, with the National Theatre and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation nearby. It is also adjacent to Oasis Mall and sits within Kampala's central business district, making its location important to the project's intended role as a commercial and hospitality destination. Kingdom Mall Investments, a Dubai-headquartered real-estate investment and development company, obtained a 99-year lease for the property from the Ugandan government in 2006. The original concept was a luxury mall complex with an anticipated opening in 2009. The development was associated with Alwaleed bin Talal, who chaired Kingdom Mall Investments at the time. The global recession of 2008–2009 affected the developer's ability to finance the scheme independently, leading to the sale of a majority stake to Azure Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Dubai-based Mara Group. Construction began in July 2010. An agreement was reported with InterContinental Hotels to manage the hospitality component once completed, although the available reference material does not establish that the hotel opened under that management arrangement. In January 2016, Crane Management Services, a subsidiary of the Ruparelia Group, and South African developer Abland Africa entered a joint venture with Kingdom Mall Limited to help complete the project. The revised development concept included a 200-bedroom four-star hotel, approximately 40,000 square metres of office space, and about 16,000 square metres of rentable commercial space. Earlier descriptions referred to more than 22,000 square metres of retail and office space and parking for more than 450 vehicles. The project was reported as having an estimated construction cost of approximately US$300 million, with completion first discussed for 2018 and later commissioning anticipated in the second quarter of 2019. These dates and specifications are historical development plans rather than verified evidence of current operating status. No reliable current source has been supplied confirming the final completion, ownership structure, hotel operator, trading status or present tenant mix. Accordingly, Kampala Kingdom is best classified here as a mixed-use real-estate development associated with retail and hospitality, not as an established international hotel chain.

The Kampala Kingdom project was conceived as a major commercial and hospitality development in central Kampala. In 2006, Kingdom Mall Investments, a real-estate investment and development company headquartered in Dubai, leased approximately 15 acres on Nakasero Hill from the government of Uganda for 99 years. The land had previously been occupied by Shimoni Teacher Training College, which was relocated to Kitikifumba in Kira Municipality. The original proposal was a luxury mall complex with a target opening in 2009. The development was associated with Alwaleed bin Talal, who chaired Kingdom Mall Investments. Financing conditions changed significantly during the global recession of 2008 and 2009, and Kingdom Mall Investments was reportedly unable to fund the project on its own. A majority shareholding in the development was subsequently sold to Azure Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of the Dubai-based Mara Group. Mara Group was also linked to Kensington Uganda Limited, another real-estate investment and development company. Construction began in July 2010. The project was planned as more than a shopping centre: the scheme included retail and office accommodation, a hotel tower, conference facilities and extensive parking. InterContinental Hotels was reported to have signed an agreement to manage the mall's hotel component after completion. The available reference does not confirm whether that management arrangement ultimately took effect or whether the proposed hotel opened under the InterContinental name. In January 2016, Crane Management Services, a subsidiary of the Ruparelia Group, and South African developer Abland Africa joined Kingdom Mall Limited in a venture intended to complete the development. The revised plan described a 200-bedroom four-star hotel, approximately 40,000 square metres of office space and about 16,000 square metres of rentable space. Earlier project descriptions cited more than 22,000 square metres of retail and office accommodation and parking for more than 450 vehicles. The development's estimated construction cost was reported as approximately US$300 million. Completion was initially associated with 2018 and later with commissioning in the second quarter of 2019. The supplied reference material does not provide a reliable current confirmation of completion, operational status, current ownership, tenants, hotel operator or final specifications. The canonical subject therefore represents a Kampala mixed-use development with a planned hotel element, rather than a clearly documented standalone hotel brand or hotel chain.

• 2019

  Commissioning was anticipated

  [1]Kampala Kingdom Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Project materials cited commissioning during the second quarter of 2019, but the supplied source does not verify that this occurred.

• 2016

  Completion joint venture formed

  [1]Kampala Kingdom Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Crane Management Services and Abland Africa entered a joint venture with Kingdom Mall Limited to advance completion of the development.

• 2010

  Construction starts

  [1]Kampala Kingdom Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Construction of the project known as Kingdom Kampala Mall began in July.

• 2006

  Long-term lease secured for Nakasero Hill site

  [1]Kampala Kingdom Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Kingdom Mall Investments leased approximately 15 acres in central Kampala from the Ugandan government for 99 years and proposed a luxury mixed-use mall complex.

A large, centrally located mixed-use urban development intended to combine upscale retail, offices, hospitality and conference functions in Kampala's central business district.

• Retail and shopping centre

  Kingdom Kampala retail complex

  The core commercial component was planned as a shopping and retail complex on Nakasero Hill, positioned near Kampala's central business district and adjacent to Oasis Mall. Project descriptions also included rentable commercial space intended for retail and related uses.

• Hospitality

  Kampala Kingdom hotel tower

  The development plan included a 200-room four-star hotel tower. InterContinental Hotels was reported as having agreed to manage the hospitality component, but the available source does not confirm the hotel's opening, final branding or current operator.

• Commercial property

  Kingdom Kampala offices and conference facilities

  The mixed-use scheme incorporated office, conference and other commercial accommodation. A revised plan cited approximately 40,000 square metres of office space and 16,000 square metres of rentable space.

• 2016

  Completion partnership with Crane Management Services and Abland AfricaM&A

  Background

  The large mixed-use project remained in development after construction had begun in 2010.

  Action taken

  Crane Management Services and Abland Africa joined Kingdom Mall Limited in a venture intended to complete the project.

  Aftermath

  The revised proposal retained the hotel, office and rentable-space components, with completion discussed for 2018 and commissioning later projected for 2019.

  Estimated construction cost. US$300 million (2016 development plan)

  Source

• 2009

  Ownership restructuring after financing pressureStrategy

  Background

  The global recession of 2008–2009 reportedly left Kingdom Mall Investments unable to finance the development independently.

  Action taken

  A majority shareholding in the development was sold to Azure Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Mara Group.

  Aftermath

  The project continued under revised ownership and later involved additional development partners, although the source does not provide a verified final ownership outcome.

  Source

1. 1Kampala Kingdom Hotelen.wikipedia.org