(Kampala) – Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has clarified the correct road renamed to honour the late Ugandan business figure Hajji Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige, popularly known as BMK, following earlier confusion.
The interim executive director of KCCA, Frank Rusa, confirmed that Park Lane, and not Wampewo Avenue as previously reported, was officially renamed Bulaimu Kibirige Road in a council decision on October 30, 2024. Rusa noted that the name change was part of a KCCA council resolution to honour BMK’s contributions to Uganda’s development.
| Location | Details |
|---|---|
| Renamed Road | Park Lane (now Bulaimu Kibirige Road) |
| Original Reported Road | Wampewo Avenue |
| Connecting Points | Yusuf Lule Road roundabout to Centenary Park |
| Unauthorized Sign Location | Jinja Road roundabout |
KCCA also addressed confusion caused by a signpost labeled “BMK Avenue” that appeared at Jinja Road roundabout, which Rusa stated was installed without KCCA’s authorization. He explained that this unofficial signpost, put up by unknown persons, would be removed to prevent further confusion.
Rusa explained that KCCA’s council approved the renaming of Park Lane as a tribute to the late tycoon’s legacy. Typically, area land committees recommend names to KCCA, which then assesses these recommendations for approval.
The authority also announced plans to register the new name with Google to ensure digital maps reflect the updated information, according to a source in KCCA’s physical planning directorate.
Parliament’s earlier resolution to honour BMK after his death in 2021 initially suggested Wampewo Avenue as the renamed road, where the prominent Hotel Africana, a flagship property of BMK, is located. Parliament’s motion, brought forward by Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko, aimed to recognize BMK’s impact on Uganda’s economy, particularly his contributions to the tax base and tourism. Igara East MP Michael Mawanda and government chief whip Thomas Tayebwa supported the motion, remembering BMK for his role in supporting Ugandan communities.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago confirmed that when Parliament’s resolution reached KCCA, the council chose to approve the renaming of Park Lane in BMK’s honour. Lukwago described BMK as a significant figure whose legacy deserved commemoration, stating that the change was both proper and fitting for a man whose influence in business spanned Uganda and neighbouring countries.
BMK, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 67, built his career from humble beginnings in Masaka’s coffee trade, eventually expanding his business reach into Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His most notable enterprise, Hotel Africana, is a major landmark in Kampala.
In his eulogy, President Yoweri Museveni recognized BMK’s influence, noting his contribution to Uganda’s growth in his message on social media platform X.
