Uganda’s first-ever National Cleaning Day was launched on Saturday, July 25, with communities across the country taking part in a three-hour nationwide clean-up exercise aimed at improving sanitation and reducing preventable diseases.
The government designated the last Saturday of every month as National Cleaning Day, requiring citizens to clean homes, roads, drainage channels, markets, schools, health facilities and other public spaces between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. During the exercise, movement of non-essential vehicles and motorcycles was restricted, with only emergency services, security vehicles and approved cross-border traffic exempted.
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and backed by Cabinet, is part of a broader campaign to improve environmental hygiene after government said poor sanitation contributes significantly to Uganda’s disease burden. Officials have urged citizens to treat the monthly exercise as a shared civic responsibility rather than a one-off event.
However, as the exercise unfolded, videos circulated widely on social media appearing to show some security personnel using canes against individuals on the streets during enforcement operations.
The footage quickly ignited debate online, with some Ugandans arguing that firm enforcement was necessary to ensure compliance with the new policy, while others questioned whether physical punishment was an appropriate method of implementing a public health initiative.
Social media personalities and commentators also weighed in, with reactions ranging from humorous posts encouraging people to simply stay home during the restricted hours to criticism describing the reported use of force as excessive.
Ahead of the exercise, the Uganda Police Force had urged members of the public to cooperate with officers and comply with the temporary movement restrictions, warning that non-essential traffic would not be allowed during the three-hour period. Police encouraged citizens to avoid confrontations and seek guidance from officers where necessary.
The National Cleaning Day programme will now become a monthly event, with government hoping regular community participation will improve waste management, unclog drainage systems and help reduce outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases.
Even as many praised the goal of creating cleaner communities, the first edition has already generated a wider conversation about balancing effective enforcement with respect for citizens’ rights — an issue likely to remain in focus as Uganda prepares for future monthly clean-up exercises.