By Ben Musanje
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has expressed concern over persistent garbage in parts of Uganda, calling for stronger leadership and community mobilisation as the country prepares for the fourth National Cleaning Day, scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Nabbanja urged religious, cultural, political and community leaders to lead by example and mobilise citizens to embrace the monthly sanitation initiative, warning that continued waste accumulation remains a challenge despite previous nationwide clean-up exercises.
“Since the beginning of this exercise, there has been remarkable improvement in cleanliness across the country. However, the continued presence of garbage in some areas remains a concern,” Nabbanja said.
She called on leaders to make cleanliness a shared responsibility by actively participating in community cleaning activities and encouraging households, businesses and institutions to maintain proper sanitation beyond designated cleaning days.
The Prime Minister made the appeal ahead of the fourth National Cleaning Day, which will run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. across the country, with Lira City designated as the national event venue in recognition of its importance as a host city for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nabbanja emphasised that the selection of Lira City should not be interpreted as limiting the exercise to the northern city, insisting that all districts, cities, municipalities, town councils, sub-counties, parishes and villages must participate.
She called on Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners, district chairpersons, mayors, administrative officials and local council leaders, particularly LC-I chairpersons, to coordinate activities and ensure communities are adequately mobilised.
Religious and cultural leaders, alongside other community representatives, were urged to use their influence to encourage public participation and promote responsible waste management.
The exercise will prioritize roadsides, public walkways, markets, trading centres, drainage channels, schools, health facilities, residential neighbourhoods and workplaces.
Nabbanja also directed local government authorities to strengthen sanitation supervision, ensure timely removal of accumulated waste and provide the necessary equipment, including cleaning tools, protective gear, waste collection trucks, wheelbarrows and fuel.
She warned against transferring collected rubbish to other public spaces, insisting that waste must be transported to approved disposal or treatment facilities.
The Prime Minister further urged businesses, schools, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and households to support the initiative by providing cleaning materials and adopting responsible waste disposal practices.
During the three-hour exercise, movement by vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians will be restricted, subject to specified exemptions for essential services and authorised categories. The public has been advised to plan movements accordingly and follow official guidance.
The National Cleaning Day programme was initiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to promote sanitation, environmental protection and public health. Previous national exercises were held in Kampala on July 25, Wakiso on August 29 and Hoima City on September 26, 2026.
Nabbanja said the ultimate objective was to make cleanliness a permanent national value rather than an activity undertaken for only three hours each month.
She urged Ugandans to participate fully in the October 31 exercise and maintain clean homes, workplaces and neighbourhoods throughout the year, stressing that sustained community involvement and responsible waste management are essential to building a cleaner and healthier country. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
