Mbale City saw widespread community participation in the National Cleaning Day on September 26, 2026, with Salam TV playing a central role in organizing the initiative. The event, led by Lydia Wanyoto, Woman Member of Parliament for Mbale City and Minister of State for Public Service, brought together residents, local officials, and representatives from the Muslim Students Association of Uganda (MSAU), Eastern Region. Umar Nangoli, MP for Mbale Northern Division, and Kaahwa Bridget Brender, an office assistant at the Ministry of Tourism, also participated, emphasizing collective responsibility for environmental stewardship. The cleaning efforts coincided with preparations for World Tourism Day on September 27, 2026, when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is set to address attendees at Mbale Secondary School.
Salam TV and Salam Charity, under Managing Director Hajji Karim Kaliisa, actively engaged in the cleanup, aligning with their community development programs. The event also featured Miss Tourism Uganda 2026/2027, Milfat Mucureezi, who urged residents to adopt sustainable waste-management practices, warning against burning waste due to its environmental impact. Kaliisa highlighted the importance of sustained community involvement, calling cleanliness an act of patriotism. Following the exercise, the Omumanyi wa Salam TV guidebook was launched, endorsed by Wanyoto and Nangoli, who praised the organization’s contributions to Mbale’s development. The initiative underscored broader efforts to combat illegal dumping and promote civic responsibility ahead of regional events, including the Omumanyi wa Salam TV Eastern Region Finals on October 3, 2026, at the Islamic University in Uganda’s Mbale campus.
The National Cleaning Day highlighted the intersection of environmental advocacy and tourism promotion, as Mbale prepared for global attention during World Tourism Day. Local leaders emphasized that maintaining cleanliness was critical for attracting visitors and upholding the region’s reputation. Mucureezi’s call for reusing waste materials reflected growing awareness of ecological challenges, while Kaliisa’s advocacy for ongoing participation aimed to institutionalize the practice beyond a single day. The event also drew attention to the role of media and civil society in driving public initiatives, with Salam TV’s involvement signaling a partnership between private entities and government structures to address communal needs.
Public officials and community representatives stressed that sustained engagement was essential to translating the day’s efforts into long-term environmental benefits. Wanyoto and Nangoli noted that initiatives like the Salam TV-led cleanup demonstrated how grassroots action could complement national policies on sanitation and tourism. As Mbale prepared for upcoming regional events, the cleanup served as a reminder of the collective duty to preserve public spaces, ensuring they met the standards expected for both local and international audiences.