Gulu leaders fault residents over poor participation in cleaning
The exercise on Saturday (September 26) brought together personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), led by the 4th Division Commander; the Uganda Police Force, led by the District Police Commander of Gulu Central Police Station; the Uganda Prisons Service; local leaders; Gulu city staff; and a few residents
Students of St Joseph's Collage Layibi also joined hands in ensuring the streets of Gulu were cleaned. (Credit: Rosemary Anena)
GULU - Gulu city leaders have raised concern over low public participation in the monthly cleaning exercise, urging residents to stop leaving the responsibility of maintaining a clean environment to elected leaders and government workers.
The concern was raised by the 4th Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuma Karate, during the third edition of the National Day of Cleaning in Gulu city.
“I have been in eastern Uganda, but it is different from here. Here, it is as if only government workers and leaders are the ones who do the work of cleaning,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Sserunkuma said he had observed some families remaining indoors and watching as other people cleaned their compounds
He urged leaders to educate residents about the importance of cleanliness and encouraged the public to emulate the example set by security personnel and other officials participating in the exercise
“We are doing it so that they can copy what we are doing. We come out to show them that things can be done like this,” he said
Among the areas cleaned during the third edition of the National Day of Cleaning in Gulu city were backstreets, Gulu Main Market and major streets across the city.
The exercise on Saturday (September 26) brought together personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), led by the 4th Division Commander; the Uganda Police Force, led by the District Police Commander of Gulu Central Police Station; the Uganda Prisons Service; local leaders; Gulu city staff; and a few residents
The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, who was the chief cleaner, said cleanliness and environmental responsibility were core values of Uganda’s National Ethical Values Policy 2013, particularly the value of respect for humanity and the environment.
“We are very happy as the Inspectorate of Government to join hands with the leadership of Gulu city to carry out this noble cause. Leadership is about setting an example, so we have to encourage everyone to embrace this government programme of cleaning,” she said.
Cleanliness starts at home
Gulu city mayor Julius Gunya Labeja Acire told New Vision that cleanliness should not be regarded as an activity reserved for the city council or Government.
“The National Day of Cleaning is for everyone. It is for the whole nation,” Labeja said.
He said residents who complain about dirty streets should also examine the cleanliness of their own homes and surroundings.
Deputy IGG, Dr Okiria with her regional staff, staff of Gulu City Council and the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda after the cleaning exercise. (Credit: Rosemary Anena)
Labeja said cleanliness should become a daily habit, beginning with simple practices such as making beds, sweeping rooms and properly disposing of household waste.
He added that the proposed waste management ordinance, which is with the Solicitor General, would decentralise responsibility for cleanliness to villages, cells, businesses and institutions. It would also require shop owners to provide rubbish bins outside their premises to prevent waste from ending up in drainage channels.
“Each shopkeeper should have a dustbin in front of their shop,” he said, adding that this would help keep streets and drainage systems clean.
Gulu city town clerk Innocent Ahimbisibwe said that despite the exercise attracting stakeholders from different sectors, public participation remained a major challenge.
“Not everybody has fully embraced this cleaning exercise. People are still watching from a distance,” Ahimbisibwe said.
He said leaders needed to change the perception that cleaning was the responsibility of city authorities, councillors or security agencies alone, rather than a collective responsibility.
The town clerk also called on religious leaders to use sermons and other gatherings to encourage their congregations to maintain clean surroundings.
He further urged businesses and corporate organisations to take ownership of the campaign by organising cleaning activities within their premises and surrounding areas.
“We appeal to corporate organisations to take the lead in the exercise since it is a shared responsibility. This will make it more encouraging, boost morale and improve mobilisation so that everyone gets involved,” he said.
Stakeholders’ involvement
Among the corporate entities that have continuously joined hands with Gulu City in the National Day of Cleaning is the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), alongside the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
Gulu area manager of UEDCL, Colline Karabyo, reaffirmed the company's commitment to supporting environmental conservation and the well-being of the community.
“Our responsibility goes beyond distributing power. We have a responsibility to protect the environment. That is why we encourage our teams to take part in activities that make our communities cleaner, safer and healthier,” she said.