The government has ordered a nationwide three-hour clean-up on the last Saturday of every month, requiring Ugandans to take part in cleaning their communities as authorities step up efforts to improve sanitation and reduce preventable diseases.
The National Cleaning Day will run from 7:00am to 10:00am, during which businesses will be expected to remain closed and non-essential movement of people and vehicles will be restricted. Emergency and security vehicles will be exempted.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced the programme at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala, where she was joined by officials from the ministries of Health and Local Government, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda Police Force and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
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The initiative follows a Cabinet decision made on August 11, 2025, at a meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, which approved the introduction of a nationwide public cleaning day.
Nabbanja said poor hygiene and sanitation remain major public health concerns, accounting for an estimated 75% of diseases reported across Uganda. She cited malaria, diarrhoea and typhoid among illnesses associated with unhealthy environments.
She also pointed to Kampala’s waste management challenges, saying the capital produces between 2,000 and 2,500 tonnes of solid waste every day, while only about 50% to 60% is collected and properly disposed of.
According to the prime minister, waste left uncollected frequently ends up in drainage channels and other public spaces, contributing to flooding, environmental pollution and conditions that encourage the spread of disease.
Citing Ministry of Health figures, Nabbanja said an estimated 33 children die each day from illnesses associated with inadequate sanitation and hygiene.
“The National Cleaning Day initiative will run from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on the last Saturday of every month. During this period, all Ugandans are expected to participate in organised cleaning activities within their communities, including roads, health facilities, drainage systems, markets, places of worship, schools and other public places,” Nabbanja said.
She said unnecessary movement would be restricted during the three-hour exercise and businesses would be required to close.
Local governments have been instructed to mobilise residents and identify areas that should receive priority during each clean-up.
The government is expected to issue detailed implementation guidelines after the official launch of the programme on Saturday, July 25, at Kisenyi in Mengo. Vice President Jessica Alupo is expected to preside over the launch.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi called on the public to support the programme, arguing that cleaner surroundings are essential to reducing disease.
He also responded to concerns about holding the exercise on Saturday, which is observed as the Sabbath by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Baryomunsi said the early-morning schedule was intended to allow people to continue with other activities later in the day.
“We have deliberately set these early hours of the day to enable people to carry out their other activities later. Secondly, we are not meant to offend any of the beliefs of Ugandans. But I also want to ask, do SDA members also fall sick on Saturday? Let me quote the words of Jesus in the Bible. He said you can rescue your cow or sheep immediately when it falls into a pit. So let us all participate as much as possible,” Baryomunsi said.
Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ochaya said police were ready to enforce the restrictions. He said the force would draw on experience gained while implementing movement controls during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nabbanja said President Museveni had instructed police and other security agencies to ensure compliance with the monthly programme.
The National Cleaning Day will be conducted under the theme: “A Clean Uganda is Everybody’s Business.”
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