debhelper software package provides helper programs for debian/rules, you can install in your Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) by running the commands given below on the terminal,
$ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install debhelper
debhelper is installed in your system.
Make ensure the debhelper package were installed using the commands given below,
$ sudo dpkg-query -l | grep debhelper *
You will get with debhelper package name, version, architecture and description in a table
| Distro | Ubuntu 16 04 lts xenial xerus |
| Section | Development |
| Package | debhelper |
| Version | 9.20160115ubuntu3 |
| Description | helper programs for debian/rules |
| Sub Section | Devel |