The completion of the Buganda Kingdom Muganzirwazza commercial plaza in Katwe changed the landscape of the rather dusty Kampala suburb.

And now Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II wants the kingdom's estate managers - Buganda Land Board, to complete construction of Bulange plaza, which has stalled for 54 years. In his New Year message, the Kabaka called for more projects that would generate income for the kingdom's treasury.

"In the passing year, we were able to complete the construction of Muganzirwazza (Commercial Complex) which we hope will improve our revenue collections. I hope that if we are focused, construction of Bulange plaza will be completed in the coming year," the Kabaka's message, printed in Luganda, reads in part.

Bulange plaza is also a key project in the kingdom's Shs 38.3bn budget for the 2012/13 financial year. The building is designed as an extension to Bulange House; the administrative seat of the kingdom, first completed in 1958 during the reign of the late Sir Edward Mutesa II at a cost of $5m. Construction of the plaza has stalled since the 1960s following the political upheavals.

Other projects that the Kabaka wants accomplished in 2013 are the reconstruction of the Kasubi Royal Tombs, and the rehabilitation of the other royal tombs. These, the Kabaka believes, will help stem poverty and unemployment.

"Our country still faces the challenge of a big percentage of our people living in poverty coupled with high unemployment levels among the youths in addition to deadly diseases for which a cure has not yet been found," the Kabaka added.