Nearly a decade after the original Mayor’s Gardens were sold to a private developer, Masaka City Council has unveiled a bold new plan to restore the iconic green space, marking a significant step in the city’s broader efforts toward environmental conservation and urban beautification.
The new Mayor’s Gardens will span 2.6 acres along Alex-Ssebowa Road in Katwe Ward, directly opposite Masaka Liberation Square in the Nyendo-Mukungwe Division.
This project is set to replace the original gardens that once graced Elgin Street in the heart of the city center, but were controversially sold off by the former Masaka Municipal Council and replaced with a commercial plaza.
Florence Namayanja, the Mayor of Masaka City, said the project is part of her executive committee’s commitment to leave a lasting environmental and aesthetic legacy.
“This initiative is embedded within our city’s beautification master plan. We want these gardens to be a symbol of responsible leadership and a model for sustainable urban planning,” she said.
The proposed gardens will be more than just a green space. According to Namayanja, they will feature vibrant flower beds, a variety of indigenous tree species, and sections designated for physical fitness activities.
The space will also serve as an educational hub showcasing artifacts made from recycled plastic waste, in a bid to raise awareness about environmental sustainability.
Under the city’s approved budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, the restoration project will be funded through the Climate Change and Greening Program, which has been allocated 100 million shillings.
The funding will be jointly sourced from the City Council and its environmental development partners.
Tom Luyobya, Secretary for Finance and Technical Planning, emphasized the importance of reviving Masaka’s lost natural charm.
“The city lost many of its green spaces to unregulated development. This project is a corrective step to reclaim some of that lost beauty and ensure we have designated greenbelts going forward,” he noted.
The move has been met with public approval. Joseph Musisi Ssebatta, a member of the Masaka City Development Forum, described the project as “long overdue,” citing a longstanding public desire for natural leisure spaces.
He also recommended incorporating traditional crops such as coffee and bananas into the garden’s landscape to reflect the region’s cultural and agricultural heritage.
With work set to begin soon, the new Mayor’s Gardens are poised to become a landmark for environmental education, community engagement, and sustainable urban renewal in Masaka City.
English 