By Ben Musanje
Vice President Jessica Alupo has revealed that she bears the Kiganda name Namakula, a name she says was affirmed by the former Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere.
Alupo made the revelation on Saturday as she launched the second statutory National Cleaning Day at UMEA Primary School grounds in Kyaliwajjala, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Speaking as the Chief Cleaner, Alupo began her address by greeting residents in Luganda, telling them: “Mbalamusiza nnyo mwenna, mwebale kujja okulongoosa eggwanga lyaffe” — thanking everyone for coming to clean their country.
She said she had previously disclosed her Kiganda name during the first National Cleaning Day in Katwe and recently received confirmation about its connection to the Lugave clan.
“While in Katwe at the first National Cleaning Day, I told those who attended that I was named Namakula. A while ago, when I met the former Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere at Kyanamukaaka, he told me that the name is for his clan, Lugave,” Alupo said.
The Vice President’s use of Luganda and reference to her Kiganda name appeared to strengthen her connection with residents of Kyaliwajjala, where she joined senior government officials, local leaders and residents for the cleaning exercise.
The event attracted ministers, Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, chief executives of government entities, Wakiso District leaders and members of the public.
Before launching the cleaning exercise, Alupo asked participants to observe a moment of silence in honour of the late King of Tooro, His Majesty Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, whose death had been officially announced by the Kingdom.
She urged Ugandans to embrace the National Cleaning Day as a community-owned initiative rather than an activity driven solely by government.
Alupo said cleanliness should become part of people’s daily lives, rather than something practised only during the three-hour monthly exercise held every last Saturday of the month.
“Cleanliness begins with each one of us,” she said, warning that dirty homes, streets, markets, schools, places of worship, workplaces and other public spaces expose communities to preventable diseases.
She also challenged Ugandans to stop viewing waste merely as something to be discarded, arguing that it can instead become a source of income, employment and raw materials.
According to Alupo, recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, paper, glass and metals can be collected, sorted, processed and turned into useful products, while organic waste can be converted into compost and used as fertiliser.
“We should therefore move from a waste disposal mindset to a waste-for-value thinking,” she said.
The Vice President stressed that proper waste management cannot be left to government alone.
She called on households, schools, religious and cultural institutions, businesses and industries to take responsibility for the waste they generate, while government continues to provide policy direction, coordination, mobilisation and waste-management systems.
Alupo said government would continue supporting local governments with waste-management vehicles and equipment, while encouraging private waste-management companies to invest in modern technology.
She pointed to modern waste-management vehicles capable of sorting and processing waste as it is collected, saying Uganda should move towards systems that turn waste into usable products such as fertiliser and recyclable materials.
AFCON 2027
Alupo also linked the cleanliness campaign to Uganda’s preparations to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
She said the tournament would place Uganda in the international spotlight as visitors arrive to experience the country’s hospitality, culture, tourism, business opportunities and sporting facilities.
“We want them to see a Uganda that is clean, organized, safe, welcoming and proud of its environment,” she said.
She urged host cities, districts, local governments and communities to prepare not only stadiums but also surrounding communities to benefit from the business opportunities expected from the tournament.
Alupo further disclosed that the next National Cleaning Day launch is expected to take place in Hoima, one of the cities associated with Uganda’s AFCON 2027 preparations.
She called on Ugandans to transform the monthly cleaning exercise into a permanent national culture.
“When millions of Ugandans take these simple actions, we create a powerful national movement. Let us therefore make the National Cleaning Days a movement owned by the people, not simply an activity organized by government,” she said.
She later thanked government officials who attended the Kyaliwajjala launch and encouraged ministers and Permanent Secretaries to participate in cleaning activities wherever they are.
The National Cleaning Day is observed every last Saturday of the month as part of government efforts to improve sanitation, waste management and public health across the country. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
