By Eric Yiga
Mukono Town came to a standstill at 7 a.m. on Saturday as Uganda observed its first National Cleaning Day, with security personnel closing major roads and residents joining a district-wide clean-up exercise.
Normally busy streets filled with matatus, boda-bodas and traders fell silent as authorities enforced the government’s directive requiring communities to suspend normal activities on the last Saturday of every month to clean their surroundings.
District Police Commander SP Joseph Isabamana and the head of operations, ASP Dison Ngobi, led the security deployment. Residents supported the operation by preventing motorists from bypassing roadblocks. Long queues of vehicles formed on several roads, with some motorists climbing onto their vehicles to watch the unusual scene.
In Wantoni, enforcement was particularly strict as residents worked alongside police to stop all traffic, including official vehicles. A judiciary vehicle was among those delayed after its occupants reportedly sought assistance from senior security officials but remained unable to proceed while the exercise continued.
As traffic remained at a standstill, cleaning teams spread across the municipality under the leadership of the Resident District Commissioner, Hajjati Fatumah Ndisaba Nabittaka. During inspections, officials found a health facility surrounded by large heaps of garbage. According to officials, attempts were made to restrict the inspection before authorities gained access to assess the sanitation conditions.
Nabittaka condemned poor sanitation, particularly at health facilities and food vending areas, and praised district leaders for organizing the exercise.
“Every person who has neglected these places will now be held accountable,” she said, urging residents to support the monthly clean-up initiative.
The exercise attracted broad participation from security personnel, religious leaders, Buganda Kingdom officials, political leaders, schoolchildren and residents.
Mukono Municipality Mayor Robert Peter Kabanda and the Chairperson of Mukono Central Division described the initiative as timely, saying improved sanitation would help reduce disease outbreaks. They also revealed plans to introduce by-laws to support the monthly exercise and strengthen enforcement.
Bishop Dr. Samuel Lwandasa, Chairperson of the Greater Mukono Interfaith Forum, commended both the central government and the Buganda Kingdom for reviving community cleaning.
“This system will help keep our areas clean,” he said, urging residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of waste.
Some local leaders called for tougher enforcement. Joachim Sendi of Lweza and Harriet Nankya proposed that participation should become mandatory every last Saturday of the month and suggested penalties for those who fail to take part.
Buganda representative Ann Kiggudde Namayanja reminded residents that communal cleaning has deep cultural roots.
“This practice dates back to the time of our grandparents,” she said. “We must return to that culture.”
Residents who participated in the exercise expressed frustration over persistent poor sanitation in markets and blocked drainage channels. Some also criticized influential members of the community who advocate for cleanliness but do not participate in clean-up activities.
By late morning, roadblocks were lifted, traffic resumed and business gradually returned to normal.
The next National Cleaning Day is scheduled for August 29. For many residents in Mukono, the first exercise delivered a clear message: community cleanliness is now expected to become a regular civic responsibility.
