Kagadi Police arrest 30 people for shunning national cleaning exercise
“We have arrested over 30 people who had not complied with the Presidential and Ministry of Health directive on National Cleaning Day. They were locked in their houses while others were doing their business instead of participating in the national cleaning exercise. We compelled them to clean and cautioned them after arrest,” said Mbabazi.
Police in Kagadi district say for defying the National Cleaning Exercise. (New Vision/Files)
KAGADI - More than thirty People were arrested on Saturday by Kagadi Police for defying the National Cleaning Exercise in Kagadi District.
James Mbabazi, the Kagadi Central Police Community Liaison Officer, said at least 30 people were discovered locked inside their houses, while others were doing their own business, failing to comply with the Presidential and Ministry of Health Directive.
“We have arrested over 30 people who had not complied with the Presidential and Ministry of Health directive on National Cleaning Day. They were locked in their houses while others were doing their business instead of participating in the national cleaning exercise. We compelled them to clean and cautioned them after arrest,” said Mbabazi.
The cleaning exercise in Kagadi town was enforced by Phillip Emeru, the Kagadi District Police Commander, John Isingoma, the Town Clerk, Kagadi Town Council LC3 Chairperson William Mugenyi Kasaija, and Kagadi Resident District Commissioner Carolyn Nanshemeza.
He said the garbage collected included polythene bags, empty plastic bottles, banana peelings and solid waste. Isingoma said the collected waste was taken to the dumping site at the periphery of the town.
“Over sh100m was this financial year allocated for Sanitation maintenance and garbage collection, and we shall ensure compliance with all activities planned. We ask security, Local leaders and the business community to work with us as a team to ensure proper sanitation in Kagadi Town Council, said Isingoma.
Peter Situma, the Health Supervisor, Kagadi Town Council, thanked the business community for contributing small vehicles (tuk-tuks) in collecting rubbish in the Main Market, Tax Park and Bus Park where much waste had been dumped.
He noted with concern that Kagadi has had various preventable diseases and viral attacks ranging from Diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, Ebola, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, among others, especially in Centers and on the shores of Lake Albert.
Talking to The New Vision, a section of community members, who included market vendors, bodaboda cyclists, tax operators, traders and civil servants, thanked President Museveni and the Ministry of Health for initiating the National Cleaning Exercise, which has brought sanity in the community and public places.
William Mugenyi: It is of paramount importance to live in a healthy environment. I advise those who hide and lock themselves in houses during the cleaning exercise to reform and fully participate with the rest.
Wyclif Aliganyira Alias Alimba: As a taxi driver, I have not travelled to Fort-Portal this Saturday due to the national cleaning exercise. We need to live in a healthy and clean environment because health is wealth.
Lydia Kemigisa, market vendor: Our market has been very filthy, but we can now breathe a sigh of relief; all the garbage has been collected by trucks through teamwork with other vendors. How I wish this exercise continued even twice a month.
John Alibankya, a butcher, Kagadi Main Market: I support this exercise 100%. We thank the government for this exercise. Although we have not worked for our business today, it is good for our health. Educated people tell us that health is wealth; therefore, it is not a loss not to do business today. We should continue observing this day.