Ugandans urged to join fourth National Cleaning Day in Lira City

27 October 2026, 5:20 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Ugandans have been urged to participate in the fourth National Cleaning Day, which will be held in Lira City, as part of government efforts to promote cleanliness and proper waste management.

The call was made in Kampala by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, alongside other government leaders, including her deputies, ministers and city leaders.

In her address, Nabbanja appreciated Ugandans who participated in the first three national cleaning exercises and emphasised the importance of separating waste.

“I want to appreciate all Ugandans for participating in the first three National Cleaning Days. In a special way, allow me to appreciate all cultural leaders, religious leaders and the defence forces,” she said.

Nabbanja said Lira City was selected to host the fourth exercise because of its international stadium, which could provide an opportunity for the city to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“The fourth National Cleaning Day will be held in Lira City. We chose Lira City because it has an international stadium, and they might get an opportunity to host AFCON. I urge all of us to take part in this initiative,” she said.

She called on local leaders to organise the exercise effectively, urging communities to clean drainage channels, hospitals, markets and their neighbourhoods. She also encouraged Ugandans to separate waste, noting that it could generate income.

On concerns about the National Cleaning Day coinciding with the forthcoming Buganda Masaza Cup final, Nabbanja said she had not held any meeting with anyone regarding a change in the programme.

She maintained that the exercise would proceed as planned, noting that the cleaning activities would take place in the morning, leaving participants time for other engagements later in the day.

“We all agreed that since the exercise is in the morning, we can use the rest of the time to do other things,” she said.

The Prime Minister further urged local leaders to plan ahead and ensure that enough garbage collection trucks were available. She reiterated that waste should not be dumped along roadsides.

“We should plan ahead so that we have enough trucks. We agreed last time that we do not put garbage along the roadside. Local leaders should take part in organising this,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, said he would present a proposed bylaw to Cabinet seeking to make participation in the National Cleaning Day a legal requirement. If approved by Cabinet, the proposal would be tabled before Parliament for consideration.

He added that members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church would continue conducting their cleaning activities on Sundays.

Categories of people permitted to move during the cleaning exercise include ambulance crews, security personnel, tourists, travellers with valid travel documents, medical personnel and other authorised persons.

Lira City Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Ruth Aceng, and the city mayor, Sam Atur, also encouraged residents to participate in the exercise and thanked the government for selecting their city to host the initiative, given its potential role in hosting AFCON 2027 matches.