The spirit of community service and collective responsibility took centre stage in Lira City as residents joined four Cabinet ministers and other government officials for Uganda’s fourth National Cleaning Day, demonstrating that the drive for a cleaner Uganda goes beyond the presence of top government leaders.
Although Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja was unable to attend the monthly exercise because she is currently out of the country, her absence did not deter the activities, which were successfully conducted under the leadership of Government Chief Whip and Lira City Woman Member of Parliament, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
Aceng was joined by Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba and Sandra Alum Santa, Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, as they mobilized residents and actively participated in cleaning public spaces across the city.
Unlike previous editions held in Kisenyi-Kampala, Kulambiro in Kira Division, Wakiso District, and Hoima City, where Nabbanja physically participated and led the exercises, the Lira edition proceeded with Aceng leading the mobilization and hands-on activities.
However, beyond the presence of ministers and government officials, one participant captured the spirit of the day in a particularly moving way.
Among the residents who turned up was a man living with a disability who, despite his limited mobility, made his way to the exercise by crawling. His determination to be part of the community effort caught the attention of Dr. Aceng, who stopped to greet him.
The encounter offered one of the day’s most touching moments, illustrating how the responsibility of maintaining clean and healthy communities transcends physical ability and personal circumstances.
The man’s participation was a reminder that everyone has a role to play in shaping the environment in which they live, and that community development is built through the collective efforts of people from all walks of life.
The ministers equally demonstrated their commitment through practical participation. Dr. Baryomunsi was captured putting considerable energy into the cleaning activities, while Minister Sandra Alum Santa wo is the Woman MP Oyam district also joined residents in the exercise, turning the government-led campaign into a hands-on community engagement.
The growing participation in the National Cleaning Day exercises suggests that the initiative is steadily gaining momentum, with each edition bringing together public officials, local leaders and ordinary citizens around a shared responsibility.
Uganda officially launched the National Cleaning Day initiative on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Kiti Zone, Kisenyi III Parish, in Kampala Central Division. The launch was presided over by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, the Lead Champion of the initiative.
Under the programme, the last Saturday of every month is designated as National Cleaning Day, with Ugandans expected to dedicate three hours, from 7:00am to 10:00am, to cleaning their homes, neighbourhoods, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship, workplaces, roads, drainage channels and other public spaces.
As the campaign continues to take root across the country, the Lira exercise offered a simple but powerful message: building a cleaner Uganda is a shared responsibility that requires more than government directives. It demands the active participation of every citizen.
And perhaps the most memorable image from Lira was that of a man who, despite his physical limitations, refused to be left behind, reminding fellow residents that no contribution is too small when it comes to building a cleaner and healthier community. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
