Armed with shovels and brooms, Kampala East 'Lions' clean Nakawa Market

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On Saturday (May 24), vendors at Nakawa Market in Kampala were pleasantly surprised to see unfamiliar faces arrive.

It was a determined pack of Kampala East Lions Club members who wasted no time in rolling up their sleeves and getting down to the task at hand: cleaning up the market.

This clean-up drive is part of a global Lions Club environmental initiative, aimed at roaring out a powerful message: 'A clean market is a healthy market'.

John Kikanu Byarugaba, the First Vice District Governor of Lions District 411B Uganda, said Saturday's activity was in line with one of the club’s international causes of protecting and preserving the environment.

Members of the Lions Club of Kampala East clean up Nakawa market. Holding a spade is the club president Hilda Mugenyi. (Photo by Richard Ategeka)

“What we have done here in Nakawa Market is what we should be doing across markets in the country,” he said.

“We must always look at the environment people work from. A clean space reduces disease risks and makes customers feel welcome.”

Byarugaba said many vendors still think that garbage collection is not their responsibility.

“Some believe someone is paid to do the job, so they hide waste and wait for market management to collect it,” he explained.

“But we must always think about where we live and work — don’t let garbage chase away your customers or bring you illness.”

Hilda Mugenyi, the President of Kampala East Lions Club, said environmental sustainability is a core mission of Lions Clubs worldwide.

“We chose Nakawa because we have been serving this area, but our work doesn’t stop here,” she said.

“Other Lions Clubs across Uganda are also encouraged to take up similar initiatives. If your community needs sensitisation, go for it — it’s for the good of us all.”

The clean-up effort was not just symbolic. The Kampala East Lions Club donated vital cleaning tools such as wheelbarrows, brooms, rakes, and spades to support long-term sanitation efforts in the market.



'Cleanliness starts with us'

Joel Isabirye, the Nakawa Market administrator, welcomed the partnership, saying the Lions Club has supported them not only with tools but also with awareness.

"A healthy body is what makes money in the market — when you are sick, you can’t work. Their help complements KCCA’s efforts and boosts our sanitation campaigns," he said.

Deborah Katusabe, a vendor at Nakawa Market, praised the initiative.

“Seeing Lions Club members helping clean garbage is a big encouragement. It reminds us that cleanliness starts with us. It improves the market and protects our health.”

Aside from cleaning, the Lions planted trees at the market and urged market stakeholders to consider long-term improvements, including repairing the drainage system to prevent health hazards.

With brooms in hand and a mission in their hearts, the Kampala East Lions Club pack demonstrated that true service means going beyond words — and into the mud — for a cleaner, healthier Uganda.