Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has called on Ugandans to take greater personal responsibility for waste disposal, warning that poor sanitation is escalating public health risks, urban flooding, and environmental degradation across the country.
Speaking in Hoima City on Saturday while presiding over the third edition of National Cleaning Day, Ms Nabbanja announced plans to enforce mandatory waste sorting at the source nationwide.
Under the proposed regulatory framework, households, commercial entities, and institutions will be required to separate waste at the point of disposal, while local governments will lead community sensitization and enforcement.
“Waste management should not be left to local authorities alone; citizens must take responsibility for keeping their homes and surroundings clean,” Ms Nabbanja said.
She emphasized that the monthly cleaning campaign is a key strategy in preparing Hoima City for increased economic activity and international visibility ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania. Hoima is among the host cities designated for match fixtures.
According to the Prime Minister, a sharp focus on sanitation is urgent because a significant portion of Uganda’s national disease burden stems from preventable environmental conditions.
“Malaria, diarrhea, and typhoid are among the illnesses directly associated with poor sanitation and poor environmental conditions,” she noted, adding that uncollected garbage frequently clogs drainage channels, causing severe urban flooding and vector breeding grounds.
Ms Nabbanja urged schools, businesses, and religious institutions to embed proper hygiene into their daily operations rather than viewing National Cleaning Day as a casual, one-off event.
Dr. Jonard Asiimwe, the Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Office of the President, called on citizens to embrace the monthly exercise as a cornerstone for national development and public health.
Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Asinansi Nyakato, commended the local turn-out and urged residents to maintain high hygiene standards beyond official cleaning days.
Hoima City Mayor, Mr Edward Isingoma, revealed that municipal authorities have already launched a door-to-door public awareness campaign to address garbage accumulation in urban hotspots.
Saturday’s cleanup exercise drew hundreds of participants, including officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Uganda Prisons Service, local school children, and political leaders, who cleared drainage channels, market areas, and major roads across Hoima.
Background
The National Cleaning Day initiative was officially launched on July 25, 2026, following Cabinet approval under a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach. Held on the last Saturday of every month, the national program aims to eradicate preventable disease outbreaks, safeguard urban ecosystems, and cultivate civic responsibility nationwide.