News

Court Orders Renaming of Kampala Streets

The high court on 28^th February, ruled on the renaming of Kampala streets erasing away the colonial legacy.

Justice Musa Ssekaana of the Civil Division of the High Court ordered Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to take administrative, legislative and other measures to enforce the renaming of public places including roads and streets to promote community, unity and Ugandan culture.

According to Justice Ssekaana, “It is over 62 years since Uganda attained its independence in 1962 from the colonialists through self-determination. The capital has continued to use the colonial names and this ought to be addressed through a gradual process of choosing appropriate names in honor of persons relevant to Uganda’s historical transformation since independence.”

Daniel Nuweabine, the spokesperson for KCCA, acknowledged the court’s decision and affirmed that the renaming process would be thoughtful and inclusive.

“Road naming is a meaningful process that reflects a community’s aspirations and values. We will ensure the new names honor individuals who embody Uganda’s ideals and heritage,” Nuweabine said.

He added that the process would follow the Kampala City Authority Naming Guidelines 2017, which encourage the recognition of Ugandans who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development.

The renaming process will involve extensive consultations with local communities, residents, and leaders to ensure the new names reflect the country’s cultural identity and shared history.

“This is not just a symbolic change,” Nuweabine added. “It’s part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the city and make it more reflective of Uganda’s aspirations.”

John Ssempebwa, the lead petitioner, welcomed the court’s decision as a long-overdue step toward restoring Uganda’s dignity and historical truth.

“These names are a painful reminder of Uganda’s oppressive colonial past. They perpetuate legacies of exploitation and cultural erasure,” the petitioners argued.

“The continued honoring of colonial figures undermines our hard-won independence,” Ssempebwa said. These names are tied to individuals responsible for land dispossession, violence, and cultural suppression. Keeping them distorts our history and validates a narrative we must move beyond.”

Among the streets likely to be renamed are some of Kampala’s most prominent: Colville Street, Lugard Road, and Ternan Avenue — named after colonial figures like Lord Frederick Lugard, Colonel Henry Colville, and Sir Henry Hamilton Johnstone. These men played key roles in the colonial exploitation of Uganda, particularly in regions like Buganda and Bunyoro, where the impact of their actions is still felt today.

The KCCA has promised a transparent and inclusive renaming process. Citizens will be invited to suggest alternative names that reflect Uganda’s history, values, and vision for the future.

This consultative approach aims to foster a shared sense of identity and pride, ensuring that every renamed street stands as a tribute to those who shaped the nation’s journey toward independence and progress.

The ruling has sparked broader discussions about the legacy of colonialism in Uganda, with calls to remove not only street names but also colonial-era monuments and symbols.

While renaming these streets is seen as an important victory, many activists believe it’s only the beginning of a larger effort to embrace Uganda’s true heroes and cultural icons.

Renaming Journey

On June 28, 2019, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was requested to initiate the process of renaming streets bearing colonial legacy names.

On June 8, 2020, a petition signed by 5,786 individuals was submitted to the then Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and KCCA, calling for the decolonization and renaming of streets in Kampala and other Ugandan landmarks.

Furthermore, on September 7, 2021, Kadaga wrote to the then Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, requesting that he address the petition.

On November 11, 2021, Kampala City Lawyer Apollo Makubuya raised the matter with the then KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisaka on behalf of the petitioners, but no meaningful outcome resulted from these interactions.

Another petition with 5,200 signatures was submitted to President Yoweri Museveni, Kadaga, Lukwago, and other officials on June 25, 2020.

The petition was signed by notable figures, including Makubuya, Justice James Ogoola, Prof. Lwanga Lunyingo, and MPs Stephen Birahwa Mukitale Adyeeri and Medard Ssegona.

Uganda Adopts Plan for the Tourism Sector

A new development plan for improving the tourism sector in Uganda in a sustainable way has been inaugurated in Mbale by the Hon. Minister for tourism, wildlife and antiquities Maria Mutagamba. The development master plan was launched during the celebrations to mark World tourism day in the eastern Uganda, at Maluku grounds in Mbale. This long lasting plan is aimed at helping the ministry to identify and focus on addressing the key challenges that influence the growth of Uganda’s tourism sector ranging from intensification the rigid regime, promotion and capacity building and institutional management.

As she was speaking on the event, the minister said, this ten year development plan will succeed if all the sector players are committed and organized. She also added that the plan is not only focusing on what is already hugely popular like the wildlife such as gorilla attractions but it also focuses on the creation of regional tourism areas to devolve the coordination and promotion of tourism in the key attraction areas like the agro-tourism, culture and faith based tourism. Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Resident Representative also spoke on the event and assured that UN is committed to support the Uganda’s government in growing the tourism sector to transform Uganda sustainably. He was thankful to the government of Uganda who gave the UN a chance to work with them in the preparing the Tourism Master Plan and also the tourism policy which was lately approved by Cabinet.

He also called on the government to fully participate in the tourism sector to ensure wholesome growth and development. Adding on that he also said if the sector is handled in a proper way this will promote opportunities to development of the local economy and poverty eradication, adding on this the Hon. Minister Maria Mutagamba said that it’s very important to engage the local population such as allowing them to participate educate and enhance local governance. There can be no real tourism development if such development damages in anyway she said’’. She appreciated the people of Mbale who are already recognized the potential of tourism through the development of community based tourism activities such as the Imbalu festival which highlighted the exclusive culture of the region attracting both local and international tourists. She was so proud of the region that it was worth visiting due to the fact that it is a God given area with thousands of waterfalls and a true tourism paradise with very beautiful scenery, strong cultural heritage and the delicate eco system of the Elgon.

Mbale also hosted the first ever hot air balloon ride in Uganda and very many tourists, development agencies and the media where at the sight of celebrations to mark the World tourism Day 2014. She urged the local leaders to use these opportunities and use them to attract more tourists to the region and also the entire country. She also asserted that tourism is the most significant economic sectors in the world currently. And tourism today accounts for over 9% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and one in every 11 jobs on the planet. When he was speaking the local council five chairperson Mr.Bernard Mujasi thanked the ministry for bringing the 2014 world tourism day celebrations to Mbale and urged the ministry to support all tourist attraction in the region.

Uganda is one of the few places on earth endowed with immense tourist attractions that range from the rare and endangered mountain gorillas to diverse cultures of the local people. Most of Uganda’s visitors visit the country mainly for gorilla safaris into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park and that is why it is important to promote the country to prospective visitors by sensitizing them about the different adventures that can be taken. These include chimpanzee tracking, wildlife safaris, mountaineering, community based tourism and more.

Uganda Tourism a Significant Resource for Development

Tourism in Uganda is getting more significant these days and its contribution to the country’s economy is rising day by day. Its revenue per annum proves its success and a resource to the government as well as the economy. Tourism has today become one of the largest earning industries globally. It wasn’t considered important a few years ago but today it’s affects the global economy and helps in earning foreign currency. Uganda tourism is very popular all over the world and over 1 million visitors visit the country to take safaris in Uganda, do business or  even volunteer in the country. Uganda gives priority to tourism as it believes that tourism is one of the most beneficial industries of the country. Tourism not only gets Uganda, foreign currency but it also strengthens it national identity.

The Uganda tourism industry has set yet another target after almost achieving the one million tourists target visiting Uganda by 2012. This target was set in 2009. Now sector players want to see the industry contributing up to 9.2% of the total Gross Domestic Products for Uganda by the year 2015.

Tourism plays a significant role in the development of this outstanding country. Uganda tourism also provides new jobs to the people of Uganda that ultimately raises the standard of living of Uganda. Tourism in Uganda helps this country to remain in the competitive global market.

Uganda is renowned for its natural and cultural heritage. Its wonderful cultural heritage is well known all over the world. The natural beauty of this country is astounding and can win any heart, the rain forests that are habitat to a number of flora and fauna as well as the native people. It is believed that Uganda has huge tourism potential. This country has come up with great tourism in the recent past and is doing well to develop in this field. Uganda is ready to take all the challenges by developing tourism destinations, as Uganda is  depends on its tourism among other things for foreign exchange earnings and gives much precedence to tourism industry.

The growth of Uganda tourism is rapid and has high aggregated value. Uganda is working hard and trying to promote its tourism on foreign markets so as to earn more and more foreign currency. The country is also giving importance to security. It is coming up with tourism police force that helps in strengthening the security system of the country. Uganda also allows investments in this sector so as to develop Uganda tourism.

The main aim of Uganda tourism is to prove that yet Uganda is a small country of Africa, it can beat any nation with its tourism diversity. It is really a five star country with all the pleasures and excitement you can demand for, while exploring any big country of Africa.

Uganda is economically, one of the poorest countries in the region but its tourism industry is doing well. If you are planning for a vacation and you are having a low budget then Uganda is one of the best destinations for you. It is regarded as a perfect low budget adventure destination whose main source of income is tourism. Although, this country is also dependent on export of agricultural products but at present it is giving more importance to tourism and is trying hard to stay in the competitive market.