NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja has called on Ugandan communities to shift from viewing National Cleaning Day as a government mandate to a collective responsibility, emphasizing its role in disease prevention. Speaking during a community cleaning event organized by the Seventh-day Adventists in Kapeeka SDA Church District, Nakaseke District, Namayanja stressed that the initiative aims to safeguard public health by addressing sanitation challenges. She highlighted the congregation's voluntary participation despite rainy conditions, stating, "People should stop thinking that cleaning is a burden imposed on them by government. When we clean our communities, we are protecting ourselves and our families from diseases such as cholera, typhoid and other illnesses caused by poor sanitation."
Namayanja chose Kapeeka for the exercise due to its persistent sanitation issues, citing its large population as a contributing factor. "We shall continue working with the people here until everyone understands that keeping the community clean must become part of our daily life," she said. The event marked the third nationwide National Cleaning Day exercise since the government mandated monthly cleanups on the last Saturday of each month. However, Seventh-day Adventists, who observe Saturday as their Sabbath, were permitted to conduct the activity on Sunday, a decision praised by Kapeeka SDA District Pastor Emmanuel Okoth. "Although it rained, we had already committed ourselves to cleaning our community. We appreciate government for giving us an opportunity to participate on Sunday and for promoting an initiative that contributes to better health," Okoth stated.
Area district councillor Joyce Nakayenga echoed Namayanja's call, urging residents to adopt cleanliness as a daily habit rather than relying on designated cleanup days. "We should make cleanliness part of our daily lives so that we can prevent diseases such as cholera, typhoid and other illnesses associated with poor sanitation," she said. The exercise underscored broader public health concerns, with Minister Mutasingwa earlier warning against keeping livestock in markets due to disease risks. Meanwhile, in other regions, residents have raised concerns about inadequate waste management infrastructure, as seen in Nansana Municipality's Gombe area, where calls for proper garbage disposal sites persist.
The National Cleaning Day initiative, now in its third iteration, reflects Uganda's ongoing efforts to combat sanitation-related illnesses. By engaging religious groups and local leaders, the program seeks to foster community ownership of public health measures. Namayanja's emphasis on grassroots participation aligns with broader government strategies to decentralize responsibility for environmental cleanliness. As the campaign progresses, stakeholders continue to highlight the need for sustained behavioral change to ensure long-term health outcomes for Ugandans.