The Government has called on Ugandans to participate in the fourth National Cleaning Day on Saturday, October 31, with Lira City designated as the national cleanup site .
The exercise will run from 7am to 10am across the country, with residents, businesses, schools and institutions expected to clean their surroundings and address sanitation challenges in their communities.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced the exercise while addressing journalists at the Office of the Prime Minister, emphasising that Lira’s designation did not mean the cleanup was limited to the northern city.
She urged local leaders and communities across the country to mobilise cleaning equipment and participate in keeping public spaces, markets, roadsides and drainage channels clean.
Nabbanja commended Ugandans and national leaders for supporting previous cleaning exercises held in July, August and September, calling for even greater participation in the upcoming nationwide campaign.
She also directed local governments to provide cleaning tools, protective equipment, waste collection trucks and other logistical support, while ensuring that collected rubbish is transported to approved disposal facilities.
“The objective is not simply to clean the country for three hours on one day. It is to establish cleanliness, proper sanitation and environmental responsibility as a permanent national value and everyday practice,” she said.
The Government says the monthly initiative is intended to promote lasting behavioural change and make proper waste disposal part of everyday life.
Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi warned that poor sanitation exposes communities to preventable diseases, particularly with heavy rains expected.
He urged households to clear drainage channels and remove stagnant water, which provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread malaria. He also warned that overgrown vegetation can shelter snakes and rodents.
Baryomunsi said the campaign should be driven by personal responsibility rather than fear of government enforcement, urging residents to take ownership of sanitation in their communities.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner James Ruhweza said security personnel would be deployed across the country to enforce movement restrictions between 7am and 10am.
The restrictions will affect vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians, with exemptions for essential services, including ambulances, garbage collection trucks, security personnel and health workers. Other exempt categories include diplomats, foreign tourists and eligible international travellers with supporting documents.
Ruhweza urged the public to plan their movements in advance and cooperate with security officers to ensure the exercise proceeds smoothly.
NRM Chief Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said Lira City had been preparing for about two weeks, with mobilisation targeting residents, business operators, political leaders and civil society organisations.
She said the city’s selection was linked to preparations for AFCON 2027, but added that the exercise would also improve the living environment for residents and make the city more attractive to visitors.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul urged Ugandans to change their attitudes towards sanitation and recognise cleanliness as a shared responsibility.
The Government has emphasised that the three-hour exercise should complement, rather than replace, routine cleaning at homes, workplaces and public spaces, urging Ugandans to maintain clean surroundings throughout the year.
