Govt Declares Mandatory National Cleaning Day

Uganda has declared the last Saturday of every month as a mandatory National Cleaning Day, a nationwide initiative requiring all citizens to participate in a three-hour cleanup exercise. During this period, roads will be closed, and businesses will cease operations to ensure full public engagement.

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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 organized cleaning activities within their communities, including roads, health facilities, drainage systems, markets, places of worship, schools, and other public places.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced the National Cleaning Initiative, emphasizing its critical role in combating diseases spread through poor sanitation and hygiene. She cited statistics indicating that 75% of diseases in Uganda are linked to these factors. The cabinet, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, approved the initiative on August 11, 2025, recognizing the urgent need for improved public health measures.

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75% of diseases in the country are spread as a result of poor sanitation and hygiene.

Nabbanja highlighted the dire sanitation situation in Kampala, where daily waste generation far exceeds collection capacity, leading to blocked drainage systems and increased disease risks. Reports from the Ministry of Health reveal that approximately 33 children die daily from sanitation-related illnesses. The National Cleaning Day directly addresses these issues, aligning with Article 39 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a clean environment.

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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 organized cleaning activities within their communities, including roads, health facilities, drainage systems, markets, places of worship, schools, and other public places.

The initiative will run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each month. Participation will involve cleaning community spaces, including roads, health facilities, markets, and schools. Unnecessary movement will be prohibited, with exceptions only for emergency and security vehicles. Local governments are tasked with mobilizing communities and identifying key areas for cleaning, with official guidelines to be issued following a launch event presided over by the Vice President.

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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 organized cleaning activities within their communities, including roads, health facilities, drainage systems, markets, places of worship, schools, and other public places.