National Cleaning Day: 22 arrested in Dokolo as Kwania reports low turnout

29 August 2026, 8:16 pm

By Winnie Auma

Police in Dokolo District have arrested 22 people for allegedly failing to comply with the government directive to participate in the national community cleaning exercise.The arrests were made during today’s cleaning exercise, which is conducted at the end of every month across the country.

Dokolo Resident District Commissioner, Babra Akech says the exercise faced considerable resistance, particularly from business owners and residents in trading centres.Akech says many people chose to lock themselves inside their houses rather than participate in the cleaning exercise.

She says police officers were called in to enforce compliance, and some of those who had locked themselves inside their homes were forced to come out and clean their surroundings.The RDC says some people were also found working at construction sites and in bars while the cleaning exercise was underway, leading to their arrest.

Akech says the 22 suspects will be released with caution as authorities await further guidance from the government on how to handle people who fail to participate in the exercise.

Akech has also called on business leaders to help mobilise business owners to take the cleaning exercise seriously, saying it is intended to improve the wellbeing of the entire community.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Kwania District, the exercise was characterised by a low turnout, with many residents reportedly choosing to stay indoors during working hours.

Kwania Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Isaac Mweru Hirya, says very few people turned up in most town councils, limiting the amount of work that could be accomplished.Mweru says by the time the exercise ended at 10 a.m., little progress had been made in several areas.

He also expressed concern over the continued disposal of rubbish in drainage channels and along corridors in business centres, warning that poor hygiene can contribute to the spread of diseases.

Kwania District Health Officer, Dr David Okino, has urged residents to embrace the cleaning exercise, saying improved sanitation is important in preventing diseases and promoting community health.

Uganda observes National Cleaning Day on the last Saturday of every month from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to improve public health and community sanitation.