Leaders in Nansana Municipality on Saturday joined hundreds of residents in a large-scale community clean-up exercise to implement the government's monthly nationwide sanitation campaign, with officials urging the public to embrace cleanliness as a shared responsibility.
The exercise took place across several parts of the municipality, including Kibwa, Nabweru and other surrounding areas.
Residents, equipped with hoes, slashers, brooms and other cleaning tools, moved from house to house clearing garbage, overgrown vegetation and blocked drainage channels. In Kibwa, the LC I Chairperson, Charles Kabuye, used a public address system to mobilize residents to come out and participate.
Nansana Municipal Town Clerk Hadijah Ssengendo Mukasa said the municipality's leadership deliberately took the lead in the exercise to set an example for the community.
"We had to rise up and lead the people of Nansana so that they can see the importance of this exercise. Cleanliness benefits everyone because it helps prevent diseases caused by poor sanitation," Mukasa said.
She urged residents to make community cleaning a routine practice instead of waiting for reminders every last Saturday of the month.
"People should not wait to be called upon. They should voluntarily come out and keep their surroundings clean because it is for their own health and well-being," she added.
Launching the exercise, Nansana Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Charles Lwanga praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for introducing the nationwide sanitation initiative, saying it would significantly improve public health.
"We could not remain seated when the President directed every Ugandan to participate in keeping their environment clean. This is a good initiative that will reduce diseases caused by poor hygiene and improve sanitation across the country," Lwanga said.
Nansana Municipality Mayor John Bosco Sserunkuma Kannakambata emphasized that the campaign should not be viewed through a political lens but as a civic duty for all citizens.
"This sanitation campaign has nothing to do with politics. As leaders, we are simply fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to us by the people. I urge every resident to embrace cleanliness and revive the culture of maintaining a clean environment," the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Nansana Municipality Member of Parliament Zambali Bulasio Mukasa welcomed the government's initiative but called for a review of its implementation to ensure it does not negatively affect vulnerable people.
"The programme is commendable, but it should be reviewed because some people, especially the sick, have been unable to access health facilities due to the exercise. Government should address such challenges," Mukasa said.
He also urged the government to strengthen public sensitization, noting that many Ugandans were caught unaware by the rollout of the programme.
"The government should intensify public awareness about this campaign because many people did not know enough about it before it was implemented," he added.
The monthly clean-up campaign forms part of the government's broader efforts to improve environmental sanitation, reduce disease outbreaks linked to poor hygiene, and encourage greater community participation in maintaining clean and healthy neighborhoods.
