KAMPALA — Uganda will on Saturday roll out its first mandatory National Cleaning Day, marking the beginning of a nationwide monthly sanitation campaign that requires citizens to participate in community cleaning exercises on the last Saturday of every month.
The initiative, unveiled by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja under the theme “A Clean Uganda is Everybody’s Responsibility,” aims to improve environmental sanitation, prevent disease outbreaks and foster a culture of collective civic responsibility. It was approved by Cabinet as part of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to public health and environmental protection.
Under the programme, all Ugandans are expected to participate in cleaning activities from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. every last Saturday of the month. During the three-hour period, non-essential businesses will close, while movement of people and vehicles will be restricted except for emergency and security services.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the inaugural exercise will be officially launched in Kampala by Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Museveni. Government officials, local leaders, private sector players and communities are expected to take part in cleaning markets, streets, drainage channels and other public spaces.
The government says poor sanitation remains a major public health concern, contributing to the spread of preventable diseases such as malaria, typhoid and cholera. Officials argue that regular community clean-up exercises will complement existing sanitation and environmental conservation efforts while encouraging greater public ownership of hygiene standards.
Implementation guidelines require Ministries, Departments and Agencies, local governments, schools, businesses, religious institutions and community organisations to mobilise participation and integrate cleaning activities into their routine programmes. Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners and local leaders have also been tasked with overseeing implementation and mobilising communities.
The monthly activities are expected to include sweeping public spaces, desilting drainage channels, collecting and properly disposing of waste, clearing overgrown vegetation, planting trees and removing illegal dumpsites. Communities are also encouraged to clean homes, schools, markets and places of worship while promoting proper waste management practices.
Police have warned that the directive will be enforced, with only emergency and other exempted essential services allowed to operate during the designated cleaning hours.
The initiative has generated mixed reactions online.
Supporters have welcomed the programme as a revival of community-led sanitation efforts, arguing that cleaner neighbourhoods can reduce disease and strengthen civic responsibility.
Others have questioned the mandatory nature of the exercise, expressing concerns over enforcement, temporary business closures and whether the campaign addresses broader challenges such as waste collection infrastructure and disposal systems. Some social media users have also shared humorous reactions about participating in the clean-up.
Government officials, however, maintain that sustained public participation will be key to creating cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities across the country.