Uganda Reclaims History, Renames Streets

By Terisa Lumu

Uganda has taken a bold step toward reclaiming its historical and cultural identity by removing colonial monuments and renaming streets in its capital, Kampala. This landmark decision follows a court ruling that supports the decolonisation of public spaces, marking a significant shift away from imperialist commemorations toward an embrace of Uganda’s own heritage. The move is the result of a determined five-year campaign to challenge colonial legacies that persist in knowledge, governance, and culture.

For many Ugandans, colonial-era statues and street names serve as daily reminders of oppression, violence, and exploitation. These symbols reinforce historical narratives that centre on the colonisers rather than the colonised. By taking them down, Uganda is asserting its right to shape how its past is remembered—an essential step in the broader project of decolonisation.

This effort is part of a growing global movement in which former colonies are critically re-evaluating the figures they commemorate in public spaces. Countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia have been grappling with the question of how to address colonial-era monuments that glorify individuals who played key roles in the subjugation and exploitation of local populations. Uganda’s decision aligns with the decolonial thinking of scholars like Walter Mignolo and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who argue that true liberation requires dismantling not only political structures but also symbolic and epistemic systems of control.

Not everyone agrees with this approach. Ugandan lawyer and human rights activist Nicholas Opiyo has argued that these monuments should remain as “a constant reminder of our past.” He fears that erasing colonial symbols could lead to historical amnesia, where future generations fail to fully grasp the injustices their ancestors endured. This perspective is understandable—history should not be forgotten, nor should it be rewritten to suit contemporary sensibilities. However, keeping colonial statues in places of honour does not just preserve history; it continues to give power to the colonisers’ version of events.

There are other ways to ensure history is not forgotten. Museums, archives, and educational programs can document and teach about colonial rule without glorifying the figures responsible for oppression. Germany, for example, has faced its own difficult past by memorialising Holocaust atrocities in museums rather than maintaining public statues of Nazi figures. This approach acknowledges history without celebrating its darkest chapters. Uganda can take a similar route by moving colonial monuments to historical exhibitions rather than keeping them in prominent locations where they continue to overshadow the country’s own heroes.

Street names, too, play a powerful role in shaping national identity. The names of roads, schools, and public buildings serve as everyday reminders of who society chooses to honour. Kampala’s streets have long carried names of British figures who played direct roles in the colonial administration of Uganda, reinforcing a legacy of dominance that lingers in the country’s urban landscape. By renaming these streets after Ugandan freedom fighters, cultural icons, and historical leaders, the country is taking back control of its own narrative.

This process of decolonisation is not about erasing history but about making history more inclusive. The colonial period is only a small fraction of Uganda’s long and complex past, which includes rich traditions of kingdom rule, trade, and cultural exchanges long before British imperialism. Elevating indigenous narratives allows Uganda to define itself on its own terms, rather than through the lens of its former oppressors.

Some critics argue that there are more pressing issues in Uganda than renaming streets and removing statues. They point to economic struggles, political tensions, and social inequality as problems that should take priority. However, symbols matter. They shape national consciousness and influence how people see themselves in relation to their past and future. Removing colonial relics is part of the larger struggle for true independence—not just political, but cultural and psychological as well.

Uganda’s move also sends a powerful message to the world. In recent years, debates about colonial monuments have erupted across Europe and North America, as activists call for the removal of statues glorifying figures linked to slavery and imperial conquest. From the toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in the UK to the removal of Confederate monuments in the United States, societies are increasingly questioning which figures deserve public honour. Uganda’s decision contributes to this global conversation, demonstrating that post-colonial nations have the agency to reshape their own historical landscapes.

The removal of colonial monuments is not an end but a beginning. It opens the door for broader discussions about how history is taught, how national identity is formed, and how formerly colonised nations can move beyond the shadow of imperialism. The next steps could include revising school curricula to focus more on indigenous history, celebrating African intellectuals and revolutionaries, and promoting local art and literature that reflect Uganda’s diverse cultures.

By taking control of its public spaces, Uganda is asserting its sovereignty in a deeply symbolic way. It is declaring that its history is not just a footnote to British imperial ambitions but a rich, independent narrative that deserves to be told on its own terms. This decision is about more than just statues and street names—it is about reclaiming the dignity and agency of a nation that has long been defined by others.

The campaign to decolonise Uganda’s historical landscape is a reminder that independence is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. True freedom requires not just the removal of colonial rulers but also the removal of colonial mindsets, structures, and symbols. Uganda’s actions are an inspiring step forward, showing that decolonisation is not just about rejecting the past—it is about building a future that truly reflects the spirit of its people.