Industrialists welcome Uganda’s National Cleaning Day

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Industrialists in Uganda have welcomed Uganda’s National Cleaning Day exercise and have vowed to use it to promote a campaign towards a ‘clean environment for a clean production’.

“As industrialists, we welcome this national campaign, and appeal to everyone to embrace it. The more we work in a clean environment, we can be sure all our products will be healthy and won’t cause any risks to our consumers,” said Dr Ezra Muhumuza, the executive director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA).

He was addressing different stakeholders at the launch of the National Cleaning Day exercise among manufacturers, which was done to embrace the national exercise, which was launched on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

State Minister for Industry David Bahati takes part in Uganda's National Cleaning Day exercise at Uganda Baati before joining the clean-up of four other industries along Mukwano Road in Kampala's Industrial Area. Also pictured are Uganda Manufacturers Association Executive Director Dr Ezra Muhoozi (left) and Uganda Baati Executive Director George Orodi (second right). (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The Saturday launch among industrialists was headed by the state minister for trade, in charge industry, David Bahati, at Uganda Baati Limited in Industrial Area. Uganda Baati staff who participated in the exercise, led by the Chief Executive Officer, George Orodi, were joined by employees of the Bugolobi-based Fine Spinners Uganda Limited. They cleaned both inside the factory and four other factories along Mukwano Road.

Fine Spinners employees take part in a clean-up exercise at Uganda Baati during Uganda's National Cleaning Day. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Muhumuza said the launch followed a formal complaint he took to the minister on the eve of the exercise on behalf of manufacturers who initially opposed the travel restrictions imposed on all people. They reasoned that the restrictions would disrupt work at the factories, which they said were so important for the development of the country and would cause losses.

“I went to the minister to complain about closing factories (for three hours) because they are so important, but he told me that the government wanted to create disruptions so that we pay attention to this national agenda. He then commanded me to arrange to launch this exercise at our industries,” Muhumuza explained.

He thanked the minister for what he termed as ‘turning his complaint into a benefit’.

According to Muhumuza, the minister guided that every person who works with the industry must participate in cleaning at their respective industries after the national exercise.

“As industrialists must double this exercise, do it at our respective industries, at homes and in our communities. A clean environment is our value number one; you will never produce anything healthy if the environment is not up to the standard,” he stated.

He, however, admitted that he was aware that some industries were yet to make improvements in cleaning their factories. He urged them to work with those that have maintained high standards to benchmark what they do so that they “move together as industrialists”.

He asked each company to appoint a focal person to ensure every factory maintains cleanliness and protects the environment.

Bahati said the additional launch among industrialists was done to achieve the ultimate goal for all manufacturers to produce in a clean environment.

He explained that Uganda’s industrial base is increasing, with a current contribution of 27.4% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product every year.

He said industries contribute 34% to the national revenue collection, which is around sh8 trillion.

“But we have to be cautious that as the industrial base increases, we must be sure that we are not destroying our environment. So, this day speaks to the protection of the environment,” he said, adding that patriotism was another achievement from the exercise since it leads to unity for a national goal regardless of one’s political affiliation and religious belonging.

“Don’t look at the three hours as an inconvenience; it is hours of doing something for your country. This exercise will be done every last Saturday of the month. Clean every day but ensure to join the country every last Saturday of the month,” he explained.

Orodi has no kind words for people who litter the environment. “It is not a question of enforcing that people clean their places. It should go beyond that and let people who are causing this menace to the country be held accountable.”

“Those who litter the environment belong to jail, otherwise, we will obviously keep on cleaning every day. The government should have some enforcement mechanisms to make people who cause this take responsibility and bring in the legal aspect,” he explained.

Orodi said factories in the Industrial Area have suffered most because of heavy floods, which he attributed to people littering the environment, thereby blocking the drainage channels.

He applauded the government for the exercise, saying the company already declared a general cleaning exercise every first day of the month. The minister planted a tree at Uganda Baati after the exercise to commemorate the event.