KAMPALA — Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the Kawempe North Member of Parliament-elect, has earned praise from the public after a video circulating online showed him returning a piece of rubbish to a driver amid a heavy traffic jam in Kampala.
In footage shared early Friday, Nalukoola was seen picking up litter from the road, where vehicles were at a standstill, and walking to a white SUV to hand the trash back through the driver’s window. The act quickly drew positive reactions from commuters and social media users who applauded the gesture as a rare example of civic responsibility in a city where litter remains a persistent problem.
Kampala’s traffic congestion — a frequent reality for motorists and passengers — often exacerbates issues with waste on roadsides, which can contribute to clogged drains and worsen flooding during rainy seasons.
Nalukoola, a lawyer and politician who won the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election in March 2025, represents the National Unity Platform (NUP). His victory was gazetted by the Electoral Commission, affirming his status as MP-elect after securing more votes than his rivals.
The clip sparked widespread praise online, with many describing the move as a demonstration of leadership and personal accountability on civic issues often overlooked by public officials.
Supporters urged others to follow his example, saying small acts like picking up waste can help address larger environmental and infrastructure challenges in Kampala.
As Nalukoola prepares to take his seat in Parliament, his spontaneous action in traffic has added an unexpected spotlight on both everyday civic responsibilities and the daily frustrations faced by Kampala commuters.
