Several shops at Mityana Central Market in Mityana District have been temporarily closed after traders allegedly failed to participate in a community clean-up exercise aimed at improving sanitation and promoting public health.
The enforcement action followed the launch of a district-wide community service campaign led by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament, Judith Nabakooba.
The exercise brought together district leaders, residents, and other stakeholders to clean public spaces, including Mityana Taxi Park and Mityana Central Market.
Leaders said the initiative was aimed at promoting collective responsibility and encouraging residents to take an active role in maintaining clean surroundings.
"Community work is everyone's responsibility. Every resident and business owner should take part because a clean environment benefits us all," Mityana District LC5 Chairperson Joseph Luzige said.
However, district officials expressed disappointment over what they described as low participation by several traders operating in the central market. They noted that despite conducting daily business in the facility, many traders failed to join the clean-up exercise.
As a result, local authorities ordered the closure of the affected shops, saying the move was intended to enforce compliance with community responsibilities and sanitation standards.
"We cannot allow people to benefit from public facilities while neglecting their responsibility to keep those facilities clean. Everyone must play their part," Central Division Mayor John Kasozi said.
Speaking during the exercise, Nabakooba urged municipal sanitation officers to remain committed to their duties and ensure public spaces are maintained throughout the year rather than relying only on periodic clean-up campaigns.
"Cleanliness should become a daily practice, not an activity reserved for special occasions. When we maintain proper sanitation, we protect our communities from preventable diseases," Nabakooba said.
Mityana Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Prossy Mwanjuzi encouraged residents to regularly clean their homes, workplaces, and surrounding areas instead of waiting for organised community clean-up exercises.
"Our health begins with the environment we live in. I encourage everyone to embrace cleanliness as a personal responsibility and actively support community initiatives that improve public health," Mwanjuzi said.
Residents who participated in the exercise welcomed the initiative, saying it would help improve sanitation standards and create a healthier environment for businesses and the wider community.
Several participants called for similar exercises to be conducted regularly, arguing that sustained community involvement would help reduce disease outbreaks linked to poor sanitation while making Mityana Municipality cleaner and more attractive.