A Hard Deadline for National Street Identification
The Ugandan Ministry of Local Government has issued a firm mandate: every street and road in the country’s urban jurisdictions must be officially named by August 30, 2026. Following this, municipalities and city councils are required to complete the installation of approved signage by September 5, 2026. This initiative serves as a national effort to modernize urban administration and bolster emergency response capabilities.
Modernizing Governance Through Urban Mapping
Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya announced the deadline during a recent media briefing, describing the project as a long-overdue requirement for modern governance. The directive aligns with strategic guidance from the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Its primary goal is to resolve navigation hurdles in rapidly expanding urban centers where formal identification remains absent.
Minister of Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi emphasized the practical utility of the project. “Proper naming of streets and roads will greatly assist in easy location, emergency response, security operations, service delivery, urban planning, investment, and other important national operations,” Minister Barugahara stated.
Replacing Colonial Designations with Heritage
The Ministry has instructed local councils to prioritize names that reflect Uganda’s national heritage, specifically moving away from colonial-era designations. Councils must pass formal resolutions to honor specific categories of individuals, including traditional rulers, kings, and cultural leaders. The guidelines also highlight heroes of the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) heroes, former presidents and eminent national leaders, and distinguished citizens recognized for contributions in public service, science, sports, business, and the arts.
These approved lists must reach the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government prior to the August 2026 cutoff.
Entebbe Leads the Early Mapping Effort
Some urban centers have already moved to initiate the mapping and naming process. Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rulinda confirmed that his administration has begun a comprehensive mapping and naming exercise to formalize the town’s street network.
“We have already started this process in Entebbe to ensure our people have a clear way to identify where things are and can operate efficiently,” Rulinda said. He noted that the project is intended to facilitate better tourism, business operations, and daily navigation for residents.
Integrating Sanitation with Infrastructure Goals
Beyond the naming mandate, the Ministry has introduced a broader agenda for urban improvement. Minister Barugahara has directed municipal leaders to intensify sanitation efforts alongside the mapping exercise.
“A clean environment reflects good leadership, effective service delivery, and respect for our citizens,” the minister said. For local officials, the dual requirement of naming thousands of unnamed roads while maintaining urban cleanliness represents a significant operational challenge ahead of the 2026 deadlines. Local leaders have indicated their commitment to meeting these targets while incorporating community feedback into the naming selection process.