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Uganda launches civic national cleaning exercise
“Uganda belongs to all of us and each citizen has a duty to keep it clean. For instance, when you are in a taxi, ensure that after drinking water, you keep that empty bottle until you find a bin and dispose of it. That's what this means: being responsible citizens,” Alupo said.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (Pictured L), Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, local government officials, business leaders, representatives of development partners and hundreds of residents joined the clean-up exercise, underscoring broad national support for the initiative. (Credit: )
By: Nelson Kiva and Juliet Waiswa, Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - Uganda on Saturday, July 25, launched its inaugural statutory National Cleaning Exercise, marking the beginning of a nationwide campaign aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness, preventing disease outbreaks and fostering a culture of collective responsibility for sanitation.
The exercise was flagged off at Kiti Zone, Kisenyi III Parish in Kampala Central Division by the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, local government officials, business leaders, representatives of development partners and hundreds of residents joined the clean-up exercise, underscoring broad national support for the initiative.
Premier Nabbanja said the National Cleaning Days Programme was adopted by the Cabinet following President Museveni's directive to tackle sanitation challenges that continue to affect public health across the country. (All Photos by Eria Luyimbazi)
The launch marked the implementation of the National Cleaning Days Programme, which was approved by Cabinet under Minute No. 246 (CT 2025) and will now be observed on the last Saturday of every month across the country under the theme, "A Clean Uganda is Everybody's Responsibility."
Under the programme, Ugandans will dedicate four hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., to cleaning homes, markets, institutions, business premises, roads and public spaces in an effort to improve sanitation and environmental conservation.
Addressing huge crowds, Alupo stressed that the cleaning is ‘not optional’!
“Uganda belongs to all of us and each citizen has a duty to keep it clean. For instance, when you are in a taxi, ensure that after drinking water, you keep that empty bottle until you find a bin and dispose of it. That's what this means being responsible citizens,” Alupo said.
She added, “I urge our youth to take the lead in this effort. You have the energy, innovation and influence to inspire positive behavioural change. Let cleanliness become part of our identity and a source of pride as a country.”
She disclosed that in the subsequent exercises, the government will provide cleaning equipment.
Dignitaries at the launch included: the third deputy Prime Minister, Lukia Isanga Nakadama, the Government Chief Whip, Dr Jane Ruth Acheng, Health Minister, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Kampala Minister, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, State Minister for Environment, Beatrice Atim Anywar, officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), local leaders and private sector representatives.
Baryomunsi noted that nearly 75% of Uganda's disease burden is preventable, with illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea and typhoid closely linked to poor sanitation and environmental degradation.
State Minister for Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar described the occasion as a historic milestone in Uganda's environmental protection efforts.
She thanked President Museveni for championing the initiative and agreeing to preside over the launch through the Vice President, saying the programme demonstrates the government's commitment to environmental conservation, public health and sustainable development.
"Today, we mark the beginning of a national movement to restore dignity to our towns and cities, protect public health, strengthen climate resilience and cultivate a culture where Ugandans clean their environment without waiting for somebody else to do it," Anywar said.
She noted that cleaner communities reduce disease outbreaks, lower healthcare costs, improve water quality, protect biodiversity, increase property values, attract investment and create employment opportunities.
Anywar warned that poor waste management continues to clog drainage channels, cause flooding, pollute rivers and lakes, contaminate food and water sources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.
Highlighting progress in environmental conservation, the minister said Uganda's forest cover has increased from nine percent in 2015 to 12 percent, while protected land has expanded to 13.9 percent, demonstrating what can be achieved through collaboration between government, communities and development partners.
Dignitaries at the launch included: the third deputy Prime Minister, Lukia Isanga Nakadama, the Government Chief Whip, Dr Jane Ruth Acheng, Health Minister, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Kampala Minister, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, State Minister for Environment, Beatrice Atim Anywar, officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), local leaders and private sector representatives.
Baryomunsi noted that nearly 75% of Uganda's disease burden is preventable, with illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea and typhoid closely linked to poor sanitation and environmental degradation.
Vision Group Editor in Chief Sidney Miria during a cleaning exercise in Kampala.
State Minister for Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar described the occasion as a historic milestone in Uganda's environmental protection efforts.
She thanked President Museveni for championing the initiative and agreeing to preside over the launch through the Vice President, saying the programme demonstrates the government's commitment to environmental conservation, public health and sustainable development.
"Today, we mark the beginning of a national movement to restore dignity to our towns and cities, protect public health, strengthen climate resilience and cultivate a culture where Ugandans clean their environment without waiting for somebody else to do it," Anywar said.
She noted that cleaner communities reduce disease outbreaks, lower healthcare costs, improve water quality, protect biodiversity, increase property values, attract investment and create employment opportunities.
Anywar warned that poor waste management continues to clog drainage channels, cause flooding, pollute rivers and lakes, contaminate food and water sources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.
Highlighting progress in environmental conservation, the minister said Uganda's forest cover has increased from nine percent in 2015 to 12 percent, while protected land has expanded to 13.9 percent, demonstrating what can be achieved through collaboration between government, communities and development partners.
However, she cautioned that rapid urbanisation, increasing plastic pollution and changing consumption patterns require renewed commitment from every Ugandan.
Kampala, according to the government, generates between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes of solid waste every day, yet only between 50 and 60% is collected and properly disposed of.
The uncollected waste blocks drainage systems, pollutes the environment and contributes to disease outbreaks.
Premier Nabbanja said the National Cleaning Days Programme was adopted by the Cabinet following President Museveni's directive to tackle sanitation challenges that continue to affect public health across the country.
She urged every Ugandan to actively participate in the monthly exercise, emphasising that maintaining a clean environment is a shared civic responsibility rather than the work of government alone.
Nabbanja explained that the initiative adopts a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, bringing together ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, cultural and religious institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, the private sector and ordinary citizens.
The Office of the President will coordinate political mobilisation and compliance, while the Ministry of Health will provide technical guidance on sanitation and monitor public health outcomes. The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance will lead nationwide public awareness campaigns through traditional and digital media platforms.
The government has also issued implementation guidelines requiring unnecessary movement of people and vehicles to be suspended during the three-hour cleaning exercise, with exemptions only granted for emergency and essential services.
The leaders stressed that individuals who illegally dump waste, obstruct public health officials, create public nuisances or violate the programme guidelines will face the wrath of enforcement under the Public Health Act, the Local Governments Act and relevant local authority by-laws.
The Kampala leaders at the launch events welcomed the initiative, noting that residents had always undertaken community cleaning activities, although not on the scale witnessed during the national launch.
“This is our life and the garbage is generated by us. We have been cleaning our community, but today's exercise demonstrates what can be achieved when the government and citizens work together,” Minister Kabanda said.
Business leaders who joined the exercise said maintaining clean urban centres is essential for attracting investment, boosting tourism and improving Uganda's competitiveness.
Kampala, according to the government, generates between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes of solid waste every day, yet only between 50 and 60% is collected and properly disposed of.
The uncollected waste blocks drainage systems, pollutes the environment and contributes to disease outbreaks.
Premier Nabbanja said the National Cleaning Days Programme was adopted by the Cabinet following President Museveni's directive to tackle sanitation challenges that continue to affect public health across the country.
She urged every Ugandan to actively participate in the monthly exercise, emphasising that maintaining a clean environment is a shared civic responsibility rather than the work of government alone.
Nabbanja explained that the initiative adopts a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, bringing together ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, cultural and religious institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, the private sector and ordinary citizens.
The Office of the President will coordinate political mobilisation and compliance, while the Ministry of Health will provide technical guidance on sanitation and monitor public health outcomes. The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance will lead nationwide public awareness campaigns through traditional and digital media platforms.
The government has also issued implementation guidelines requiring unnecessary movement of people and vehicles to be suspended during the three-hour cleaning exercise, with exemptions only granted for emergency and essential services.
The leaders stressed that individuals who illegally dump waste, obstruct public health officials, create public nuisances or violate the programme guidelines will face the wrath of enforcement under the Public Health Act, the Local Governments Act and relevant local authority by-laws.
The Kampala leaders at the launch events welcomed the initiative, noting that residents had always undertaken community cleaning activities, although not on the scale witnessed during the national launch.
“This is our life and the garbage is generated by us. We have been cleaning our community, but today's exercise demonstrates what can be achieved when the government and citizens work together,” Minister Kabanda said.
Business leaders who joined the exercise said maintaining clean urban centres is essential for attracting investment, boosting tourism and improving Uganda's competitiveness.