Business activities came to an abrupt halt in parts of Mbarara City after local authorities ordered the immediate closure of several commercial establishments—including retail shops, bars, and eateries—following the launch of the National Cleaning Day initiative.
The enforcement exercise, aimed at improving public health and urban sanitation, targeted homes and business premises found operating under poor hygienic conditions.
City officials directed non-compliant operators to urgently address sanitation shortcomings, ordering business owners and landlords to construct standard drainage channels, install proper sewer connection systems, and improve overall hygiene before they are allowed to reopen.
"We have observed that many people have been negligent in managing their waste. Many commercial buildings do not have proper sewer systems. We have ordered their closure until they meet the required standards," Resident City Commissioner Catherine Kamwine said.
The crackdown coincided with the nationwide rollout of the mandatory three-hour monthly sanitation exercise, which requires businesses to temporarily suspend operations while residents participate in community clean-up activities.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi said authorities had also taken action against landlords and property owners who had failed to maintain sanitation standards.
"Some people, especially landlords, have not been emptying their latrines. We have also fined some property owners who have failed to pay for garbage collection services," Kakyebezi said.
Inspection teams led by Kamwine, city health inspectors, and enforcement officers combed major commercial areas, including Kiyanja—where the exercise was officially launched—as well as trading centres and residential arcades to ensure compliance with public health regulations.
Speaking to Nile Post during the launch on Saturday, Kamwine commended the majority of residents for embracing the initiative but warned motorists and business operators who defied traffic guidelines issued to facilitate the clean-up exercise.
"We observed that some motorists did not comply with the traffic guidelines during this initial exercise," Kamwine said.
"Today, we exercised leniency to educate the public, but next time, offenders will face heavy fines."
Local leaders said the enforcement measures form part of a sustained campaign to transform Mbarara into a cleaner, healthier, and better-organised city. Authorities identified unclogging drainage channels, improving waste management, and enforcing public health laws as critical interventions to prevent waterborne diseases and urban flooding.
Affected business owners have been given a limited period to rectify structural and sanitation deficiencies. Authorities said all affected premises will undergo fresh inspections before being allowed to resume operations, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach to poor sanitation.
