KCCA Deputy Speaker Olive Namazzi has sparked fresh conversation about one of Kampala’s best-known green spaces after saying members of the public are free to spend their leisure time at Sheraton Gardens.
Namazzi, who also serves as the LC5 Woman Lord Councillor for Nakawa West Division, said the gardens are a public space under the management of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), despite their location next to Sheraton Hotel.
Her comments challenge the common assumption that the gardens are primarily reserved for hotel guests, weddings and private functions.
“Those are public gardens and anybody is allowed to visit them anytime they want, chill and relax from there,” Namazzi said.
She added that the gardens belong to KCCA and said members of the public can use the space to relax with their families, including during weekends.
The clarification could change how some Kampala residents view the fenced gardens, which are frequently associated with events hosted in the area.
Namazzi’s remarks suggest that the space is not exclusively tied to the nearby hotel and that ordinary members of the public can use it for recreation.
But there is another question hanging over the announcement: what does public access look like in practice?
Because the gardens are situated near State House, some members of the public have raised questions about whether visitors could face security restrictions or other access procedures despite Namazzi’s statement.
Namazzi’s comments, as reported, do not provide details on security protocols, opening hours, entry procedures or whether there are circumstances under which access may be restricted.
That leaves the practical side of the announcement less clear than the headline.
Still, her central message is straightforward: according to the KCCA deputy speaker, Sheraton Gardens are public gardens, not a space exclusively reserved for hotel guests or private events.
For Kampala residents looking for somewhere to sit, unwind or spend time with family, that could make the gardens a much more visible part of the city’s recreational landscape.