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.