Nabbanja urges Ugandans to sort garbage at source

26 September 2026, 1:09 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, has urged Ugandans to embrace the practice of sorting garbage at source to improve sanitation and protect the environment.

Nabbanja made the remarks during the National Cleaning Day exercise held at Hoima Central Market in Hoima District.

She said sorting garbage would make it easier for companies to collect recyclable waste and turn it into useful products. She also said proper waste management could help prevent many diseases affecting Ugandans.

Nabbanja said her office will continue supporting efforts to keep the environment clean.

She told residents that although the three hours allocated for the National Cleaning Day exercise are not enough, the important thing is for Ugandans to maintain the spirit of cleaning their communities beyond the designated day.

“I want to thank President Museveni for minding about cleaning the environment. This gesture is very important not only to the government, but to the people of Uganda as a whole. I want to remind our people that sorting waste is the way to go. If we join hands together, we can be able to avoid the 70 percent of diseases which lead to the death of our people.

“I also want to inform you that if we sort garbage, it will be easy for people who take garbage and use it for important things. Garbage, after being sorted, can be used as manure, which helps our gardens to produce more products in time,” she said.

The National Cleaning Day exercise was also held in other parts of the country.

In Kampala, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, together with her deputy, Benon Kigenyi, and KCCA Director of Public Health Dr Sarah Zalwango, participated in the exercise in Mutundwe Parish, Kabawo Zone, Lubaga Division.

Buzeki appreciated the government for prioritising public health and a clean environment. She also urged residents to comply with the waste-sorting system to help keep their communities clean.

Residents in several areas where clean-up exercises were held called on authorities to speed up garbage collection, saying timely collection of waste could help prevent diseases.

The next National Cleaning Day will be held in Lira City.