The High Court in Kampala has directed the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to begin renaming streets, roads, and public places to better reflect Uganda’s cultural and historical identity.
This move aims to replace names that honour British colonial officials with those that recognize figures significant to Uganda’s history.
In a ruling issued on February 28, Justice Musa Ssekaana of the Civil Division of the High Court ordered KCCA to implement administrative and legislative measures to enforce renaming guidelines.
He emphasized that, despite Uganda gaining independence over 62 years ago, the capital still bears colonial names, which should be changed gradually to honor individuals who have contributed to Uganda’s transformation.
Justice Ssekaana instructed KCCA to conduct this process in consultation with the public, following the guidelines outlined in Paragraph 7 of Part A of the Third Schedule of the KCCA Act and the 2017 naming guidelines.
The directive follows a petition by human rights activist John Ssempebwa, who argued that retaining names of British colonial officials on public roads violates Ugandans’ rights to dignity and freedom from historical injustices.
Ssempebwa, who sued KCCA last year, contended that keeping these names perpetuates the memory of colonial oppression and undermines Uganda’s independence.
The court acknowledged that many streets in Kampala still bear names of British colonial administrators, such as Captain Frederick Lugard, who played a significant role in implementing colonial rule.
Some of these figures have been linked to oppressive acts, including torture, discrimination, and subjugation of Ugandans.
Ssempebwa argued that continuing to honour them symbolises ongoing colonial influence and diminishes Uganda’s sovereignty.
Background of the Renaming Effort
The campaign to rename streets in Kampala dates back several years:
- June 28, 2019: Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was urged to begin the renaming process.
- June 8, 2020: A petition signed by 5,786 individuals was submitted to then-Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and KCCA, calling for the decolonisation of Kampala’s streets and landmarks.
- September 7, 2021: Kadaga wrote to then-Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, requesting action on the petition.
- November 11, 2021: City lawyer Apollo Makubuya brought the matter to the attention of then-KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka.
- June 25, 2020: Another petition, signed by 5,200 individuals, was submitted to President Yoweri Museveni, Kadaga, Lukwago, and other officials.
The ruling paves the way for KCCA to undertake a structured renaming process, ensuring that Kampala’s streets reflect Uganda’s rich heritage and history rather than its colonial past.
