Health
Ugandans embrace National Cleaning Day
"Let us make cleanliness a daily habit, not an occasional activity. If each of us plays our part, Uganda will be clean, healthy, and prosperous," says Vice-President Jessica Alupo.
People taking part in the National Cleaning Day exercise in Soroti city on July 25, 2026. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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NATIONAL CLEANING DAY
(Refresh the page for updates)
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10:09 AM
Mbarara City has joined municipalities nationwide in observing the newly declared National Cleaning Days, reports Abdulkarim Ssengendo. In compliance with the government-mandated three-hour sanitation directive, local streets were clear of traffic and commercial entities remained closed as the community engaged in clean-up operations. Fred Turyakira, the LC1 chairperson of Boma cell and Robert Butamanya, a trader on Stanley Road in Mbarara city, hailed the government for the exercise they believe will promote cleanliness in the country and urged all Ugandans to embrace it.
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9:42 AM
'Changing our mindset'
While launching the national cleaning days in Kisenyi earlier this morning, Vice-President Jessica Alupo said Uganda is firmly set on a path to accelerate her transformation into a middle-income country through the promotion of healthy, productive, and dignified living conditions for all our people.
"A clean and healthy environment is a critical foundation for this transformation," she said.
Alupo said the National Cleaning Days initiative adopts a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach, aimed at empowering communities across the country to recognize their primary role in maintaining their own health by addressing the social determinants of health.
"Fellow Ugandans, cleanliness begins with each one of us. When our homes, streets, markets, schools, places of worship, and workplaces are dirty, we expose ourselves and our children to preventable diseases," said the VP.
"Poor waste segregation, irresponsible disposal, poor waste management practices, and irregular cleaning of our surroundings. These are not optional; they are essential acts of responsibility and patriotism.
"The National Cleaning Days are therefore not just government-led activities or ceremonial events. They are about changing our mindset. Cleaning should begin at the household level and extend to our communities. We must not wait for government workers; Uganda belongs to all of us, and each citizen has a duty to keep it clean," said Alupo.
The initiative will be conducted every last Saturday of the month, starting 7am by everyone living in Uganda, at all levels.
The Office of the Prime Minister will coordinate the initiative, working closely with the implementing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including the Ministry of Health as the lead technical Ministry, the Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and others.
The Vice-President urged religious and cultural leaders, political leaders, resident district commissioners, youth, development partners, the private sector, local governments, community leaders, champions, and influencers to lead by example within their respective institutions and communities.
"I particularly urge our youth to take the lead in this effort. You have the energy, innovation, and influence to inspire positive behavioral change. Let cleanliness become part of your identity and a source of pride.
"Once fully implemented, the National Cleaning Days will strengthen our communities, reduce preventable disease, lower catastrophic household health expenditures, enhance productivity, and contribute to improved household incomes and national development. A clean Uganda means healthier families, safer communities, and a stronger image for our country.
"Let us therefore make cleanliness a daily habit, not an occasional activity. If each of us plays our part, Uganda will be clean, healthy, and prosperous."
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9:17 AM
'Everybody's responsibility'
Earlier today, speaking at the launch in Kisenyi, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni chaired the Cabinet that approved and adopted the National Cleaning Day Initiative as a national programme on August 11, 2025 at State House, Entebbe.
"I congratulate the National Organising Committee, comprising the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Health, Water and Environment, Local Government, ICT and National Guidance, KCCA, other Government agencies, and our partners, for successfully organising this important event," she said.
"I also commend the Committee for steering the initiative from its conception through Cabinet approval and adoption, and now into implementation."
The PM said the implementation of this initiative will improve public health, reduce the burden of preventable diseases, and lower household and government expenditure on treatment, while contributing to cleaner and more productive communities.
She said the initiative's slogan 'A Clean Uganda Is Everybody's Responsibility' reminds everyone that cleanliness is a shared duty, and that if everyone embraces this message, all will become agents of positive change and help foster a culture of cleanliness across communities.
"The Office of the Prime Minister will continue to coordinate this initiative and work closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, local governments, and development partners to ensure its success. The Government will also prioritise the National Cleaning Day Initiative in planning and budgeting," said Nabbanja.
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9:10 AM
"Sort your waste at the source," urges the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), also warning people not to burn garbage.
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8:58 AM
Members of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) have led in the clearing of a drainage channel along Kigobe road in Ntinda, Kampala.
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8:45 AM
People have been sharing their thoughts on the national cleaning initiative. Here is what Daron Bartlett has shared on social media platform X:
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8:39 AM
In Soroti city in Uganda's east, the cleaning exercise started at around 7am by locals and the city leadership, reports Godfrey Ojore. Former works state minister Musa Ecweru and renowned neurosurgeon Dr Joseph Epodoi have joined in the cleaning of Independence Square, which is located in the middle of Soroti city.
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8:20 AM
It is a positive start to the national initiative as many Ugandans, including market vendors, are seen engaging in the collective effort.
"The Office of the Prime Minister will continue to coordinate this initiative and work closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, local governments, and development partners to ensure its success. The Government will also prioritise the National Cleaning Day Initiative in planning and budgeting," said Nabbanja.
____________________________
9:10 AM
"Sort your waste at the source," urges the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), also warning people not to burn garbage.
____________________________
8:58 AM
Members of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) have led in the clearing of a drainage channel along Kigobe road in Ntinda, Kampala.
____________________________
8:45 AM
People have been sharing their thoughts on the national cleaning initiative. Here is what Daron Bartlett has shared on social media platform X:
____________________________
8:39 AM
In Soroti city in Uganda's east, the cleaning exercise started at around 7am by locals and the city leadership, reports Godfrey Ojore. Former works state minister Musa Ecweru and renowned neurosurgeon Dr Joseph Epodoi have joined in the cleaning of Independence Square, which is located in the middle of Soroti city.
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8:20 AM
It is a positive start to the national initiative as many Ugandans, including market vendors, are seen engaging in the collective effort.
____________________________
8:20 AM
The Ugandan government has officially launched national cleaning days set for every last Saturday of the month in every part of the country.
In Mbale Industrial City Division, for instance, residents have heeded the call and got down to cleaning their respective zones.
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8:07 AM
'Sense of belonging'
Vice-President Jessica Alupo is presiding over the official launch of the National Cleaning Day in Kisenyi.
"Uganda has two angles of fighting disease: curative and preventive," she says in her remarks. "They require and need the intervention of all members of the community."
Alupo says the national cleaning initiative goes a long way in enhancing the sanitation and hygiene that the Ministry of Health "has been educating and sensitizing you about. So we should take it seriously".
She says actively taking part in the exercise will give Ugandans a sense of belonging and a better appreciation of improved personal and public health.
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7:52 AM
"A clean Uganda is everybody's responsibility," says Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during the official launch in Kisenyi.
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7:45 AM
Rise and shine!
Good morning everyone. It's a warm early morning in Uganda's capital Kampala. In case you take a stroll around and see minimal vehicular activity in your area, don't rub your eyes thinking you are back to the COVID-19 lockdown days. It's the National Cleaning Day set in motion.
For three hours (7am to 10am) every last Saturday of the month, Ugandans will be required to halt their regular activities and join in the cleaning of their respective communities in a collective move aimed at promoting a cleaner environment and improving public health.
It all starts today.
8:20 AM
The Ugandan government has officially launched national cleaning days set for every last Saturday of the month in every part of the country.
In Mbale Industrial City Division, for instance, residents have heeded the call and got down to cleaning their respective zones.
____________________________
8:07 AM
'Sense of belonging'
Vice-President Jessica Alupo is presiding over the official launch of the National Cleaning Day in Kisenyi.
"Uganda has two angles of fighting disease: curative and preventive," she says in her remarks. "They require and need the intervention of all members of the community."
Alupo says the national cleaning initiative goes a long way in enhancing the sanitation and hygiene that the Ministry of Health "has been educating and sensitizing you about. So we should take it seriously".
She says actively taking part in the exercise will give Ugandans a sense of belonging and a better appreciation of improved personal and public health.
____________________________
7:52 AM
"A clean Uganda is everybody's responsibility," says Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during the official launch in Kisenyi.
____________________________
7:45 AM
Rise and shine!
Good morning everyone. It's a warm early morning in Uganda's capital Kampala. In case you take a stroll around and see minimal vehicular activity in your area, don't rub your eyes thinking you are back to the COVID-19 lockdown days. It's the National Cleaning Day set in motion.
For three hours (7am to 10am) every last Saturday of the month, Ugandans will be required to halt their regular activities and join in the cleaning of their respective communities in a collective move aimed at promoting a cleaner environment and improving public health.
It all starts today.