Speaking during the launch of the National Monthly Clean-Up Day on Saturday, Lira City Mayor Sam Atul said the city had already begun implementing the initiative a month earlier after receiving guidance on improving sanitation and waste management.
"Whereas the national launch is today in Kampala, for us as Lira City, we launched last month because this information was already with us as local governments," Atul said.
He said the city had made notable progress in garbage collection, particularly around Lira Main Market, where waste disposal has improved compared to previous years.
However, Atul warned that the city's dumping site is under increasing pressure from the growing volume of waste generated every day.
"Our dumping site is overwhelmed with the quantity of garbage that is taken there every day. We are now emphasizing sorting of waste at the source because about 70 percent of what is dumped can actually be recycled," he said.
He urged households and businesses to separate recyclable materials from general waste to reduce pressure on the disposal site and improve recycling.
The mayor said the city is also enforcing a "polluter pays" policy, requiring households and businesses to contribute to the cost of waste collection and disposal.
Atul appealed to the central government to expedite approval of Lira City's sanitation ordinance, which has been awaiting clearance from the Attorney General's chambers for more than nine months.
The proposed law seeks to strengthen enforcement of sanitation regulations by introducing penalties for illegal dumping and holding households accountable for proper waste management.
"We are doing our work as a city, but we need legal support where necessary. The ordinance contains measures that will hold households accountable for how they manage their waste," he said.
He also called for the deployment of more public health officers to urban authorities, saying sustained community sensitization and regular inspections are essential for effective waste management.
Lira City Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole criticized residents who fail to participate in community clean-up exercises, saying many expect government officials and security personnel to clean the city on their behalf.
"You find traders seated and watching while security personnel and government officials clean their surroundings. That mentality must stop," Egole said.
He warned that authorities would strictly enforce participation in the monthly exercise, which is held on the last Saturday of every month under the national campaign.
"Every last Saturday of the month, we shall enforce this exercise. We need a clean environment and every citizen must take responsibility for their health and surroundings," he said.
Egole said traders around Lira Main Market had been directed to take part in the clean-up exercise and cautioned that businesses that fail to clean their premises could face restrictions.
"If people refuse to participate, we shall not allow the market to operate until the environment is cleaned," he said.
The National Monthly Clean-Up Day is part of the government's broader effort to improve public health, strengthen urban sanitation, and encourage citizens to take greater responsibility for environmental conservation.
Lira City officials say the success of the initiative will depend on sustained public participation, improved waste sorting at the source, and stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations.