By Ben Musanje
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja left residents amused and perhaps a little reminded of their morning routine when she abruptly switched from garbage and drainage channels to dental hygiene during the National Cleaning Day celebrations.
“Bannange, musenyeeko!” Nabbanja told the gathering in Kyaliwajjala, urging Ugandans to brush their teeth as she used the occasion to broaden the meaning of cleanliness beyond streets, markets and public spaces.
“I won’t repeat it because I know you have heard it well,” she added in Luganda.
Nabbanja was speaking during the second National Cleaning Day at UMEA Primary School Kyaliwajjala, Namugongo division, Kira Municipality, Wakiso district on Saturday where she called on Ugandans to make cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than an activity reserved for the last Saturday of every month.
She said the campaign was not simply about sweeping roads and public places, but about building a lasting culture of personal hygiene, responsible waste management and community ownership.
“As we clean Uganda today, I urge every household, business, institution and community to sort out waste at source,” Nabbanja said.
She warned residents against dumping rubbish in drainage channels, roadsides, wetlands and other public spaces, saying waste should instead be properly stored and taken to designated collection points for removal by authorized waste collectors.
Nabbanja also challenged Ugandans to change their perception of waste, arguing that much of what is thrown away can be recovered and turned into useful products and sources of income.
“Plastics, paper, metals, glass, organic waste can be recovered, recycled and converted into useful products and income-generating opportunities,” she said.
According to the Prime Minister, separating waste at source could create opportunities in recycling, employment and enterprise while simultaneously protecting the environment and public health.
The cleaning campaign also came with a practical contribution to waste management in Namugongo Division, where Nabbanja handed over a Tuku Tuku waste collection vehicle.
She said the vehicle had cost about Shs10 million.
Nabbanja called on residents to take personal responsibility for keeping their homes, markets, roads, drainage channels and other public spaces clean.
“Let us teach our children responsible waste management and work together with our local government and authorized waste collectors,” she said.
Her message was earlier been echoed by Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who linked environmental cleanliness directly to disease prevention.
Baryomunsi said Ministry of Health statistics indicate that up to 75 percent of diseases affecting Ugandans are preventable, making sanitation and hygiene an important part of public health efforts.
“We can prevent up to 75 percent of the diseases. And cleaning our environment is one way of dealing with those diseases,” he said.
He specifically cited malaria, typhoid and diarrhea among diseases whose spread can be reduced through better hygiene and a cleaner environment.
Baryomunsi stressed that Ugandans should not wait for the monthly National Cleaning Day to take action.
“Let us clean all the time our environment so that we address diseases like malaria, typhoid, typhoid, diarrhea and many other diseases which we can handle through cleanliness,” he said.
He then issued a direct appeal to Ugandans who had not joined the day’s activities.
“If you are still sleeping, wake up and join the community to clean your environment,” Baryomunsi said.
Nabbanja announced that Hoima City will be the next centre of the National Cleaning Day campaign, noting that the area is preparing to host AFCON-related activities.
For Nabbanja, however, Saturday’s message was about more than picking up rubbish. From the streets to the drainage channels—and, unexpectedly, to the bathroom mirror—the Prime Minister’s message was that cleanliness starts with everyone. And her shortest reminder may have been the one many people will remember: “Bannange, musenyeeko!” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
