Whereas naming roads in communities strengthens identity and improves on traceability and location, the road naming process has turned into an aftermath due to having failed to follow the right procedures that involve residents in naming city roads.
The protest Lubaga residents are raising highlights errors that are likely to cause conflicts among the neighborhoods in various communities in Lubaga division, as a road unanimously recommended by the LC1 on 13th March 2024 to be named Sempaya Mutawe Road has been incorrectly signed as Ssebowa Driveway by KCCA.
Despite the fact that the said road was voluntarily constructed by locals with the blessing of residents, KCCA ignored the recommendation by the residents to name the road in the honour of the generous hearts that were exhibited. This has raised questions on how genuine the road naming process is in KCCA.
The residents are recommending that KCCA takes immediate steps to rectify the situation by making a correction of the road name in KCCA’s system, by replacing the incorrect signage with the accurate name, and by making appropriate acknowledgment of their mistake.
On receiving a road naming application dated 28th January 2024, the LC1 conducted a thorough and transparent process where it was recommended that the road located in Masanyalaze Zone be named Sempaya Mutawe Road. However, to the surprise of the residents the road was instead named Ssebowa Driveway by KCCA.
The Sempaya Mutawe road recommendation followed community consultations held on 5th and 6th February 2024, as well as LC1 Executive meetings to deliberate on all submissions.
On 13th March 2024, the LC1 unanimously resolved to recommend the name Sempaya Mutawe Road for the road in question, based on several key considerations, namely:
Contributions to the Community through Leadership demonstrated in various development initiatives and projects, Active participation in community welfare programs and infrastructure improvements.
Infrastructure Development Efforts which involved the construction of a 350-meter drainage trench 7 years ago, Completion of a 350-meter stoned road in January 2024, Installation of solar-powered security lights and a CCTV system to enhance neighborhood safety.
Community Mobilization which has involved sustained efforts in maintaining the drainage.
KCCA acknowledges that naming of roads in the city begins with communities themselves, “they propose to their division after agreeing to themselves which proposal is to be forwarded to KCCA and once Council approves it then it is gazetted and the signage is fixed” says the KCCA spokesperson Dan Nuwabine.
This case stems out of a road whose construction was generally funded by two local prominent families assisted by fellow residents who later proposed that the road be named after their funders for their tireless efforts in construction of their road that was impassable.
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The road is located in Masanyalaze Zone and feeds into various homesteads. However, until the locals’ physical intervention to fix their road KCCA showed no intention to help them with their situation.
This is the reason why residents are questioning the procedure that KCCA followed to name their road in the names of Ssebowa Driveway without them agreeing to it. The request from the LC1 Chairperson together with the residents is for KCCA to rectify this error and name the road with the proper names of Sempaya Mutawe Road that they recommended as a community.
