Uganda has officially launched a mandatory National Cleaning Day, requiring citizens to participate in community clean-up exercises on the last Saturday of every month as part of a nationwide effort to improve sanitation and reduce the spread of preventable diseases.
The initiative, which was officially launched in Kisenyi, Kampala, requires all Ugandans to take part in organised clean-up activities from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. During the three-hour exercise, non-essential movement is prohibited, businesses remain closed, and only emergency and security vehicles are permitted on the roads.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the programme implements a Cabinet resolution approved in August 2025 under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and protecting public health across the country.
According to the government, poor sanitation and hygiene are responsible for approximately 75 percent of diseases reported in Uganda, including malaria, diarrhoea and typhoid. Officials say strengthening community participation in sanitation efforts is key to reducing disease outbreaks and improving living conditions.
The government also pointed to Kampala’s growing waste management challenge, where between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes of solid waste are generated each day, but only 50 to 60 percent is collected and properly disposed of. Uncollected waste continues to block drainage systems, pollute the environment and increase the risk of disease outbreaks.
Ministry of Health data further indicates that about 33 children die every day from illnesses linked to poor sanitation and hygiene.
Under the new programme, communities are expected to clean roads, drainage channels, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship and other public spaces. Local governments have been tasked with mobilising residents and coordinating the monthly exercise in their respective areas.
The initiative is anchored in Article 39 of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a clean and healthy environment while placing a responsibility on individuals to protect it.
Health officials have encouraged all Ugandans to support the campaign, saying improved sanitation is one of the most effective ways to prevent disease and strengthen public health. Meanwhile, police and other security agencies have been directed to enforce compliance with the movement restrictions during each monthly exercise.
The campaign is being implemented under the theme “A Clean Uganda is Everybody’s Business,” with the government hoping the initiative will foster a culture of environmental responsibility and healthier communities nationwide.
