Residents of Buddu County have participated in a community clean-up exercise as part of preparations to mark the 33rd Coronation Anniversary of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
The Bulungi Bwansi exercise was held in Sabagabo–Kyanamukaaka Sub-county, Masaka District, bringing together kingdom officials, local leaders, residents, and development partners in a campaign aimed at promoting sanitation, environmental conservation, and community responsibility ahead of the kingdom celebrations.
Speaking during the exercise, Buddu County Chief (Pokino) Jude Muleke said the Bulungi Bwansi programme has played a significant role in encouraging the Kabaka’s subjects to maintain clean and healthy communities. However, he noted that the initiative continues to face challenges due to limited cleaning equipment and resources.
"Bulungi Bwansi has helped instill a culture of cleanliness among the Kabaka’s subjects. However, we continue to face challenges because we lack sufficient tools and equipment to effectively carry out the exercise," Muleke said.
Buddu County Bulungi Bwansi Coordinator Badru Kagga urged the Kabaka’s subjects to use the coronation anniversary celebrations as an opportunity to plant more trees as part of efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation.
"As we celebrate the Kabaka’s coronation anniversary, I encourage everyone to plant trees. This is one of the most effective ways we can protect our environment and address the changing climate," Kagga said.
Kyanamukaaka Town Council Mayor Zainah Nakidde revealed that the area, which has more than 9,000 households, lacks designated garbage collection and disposal sites, making waste management a major challenge.
"We have over 9,000 households, but we do not have proper places to collect and dispose of garbage. This remains one of the biggest sanitation challenges facing our town," Nakidde said.
The mayor also raised concerns over poor healthcare waste management at Kyanamukaaka Health Centre IV, saying the facility lacks an incinerator for the safe disposal of medical waste.
Health Centre IV in-charge Dick Ssali Mugerwa said the absence of an incinerator poses a public health risk and called for support to improve medical waste management.
"Without an incinerator, managing medical waste safely becomes difficult. We need support to ensure healthcare waste is disposed of in a manner that protects both patients and the surrounding community," Mugerwa said.
The Bulungi Bwansi exercise is part of activities leading up to the 33rd Coronation Anniversary of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. Kingdom officials have encouraged subjects to actively participate in environmental conservation and community development as a way of promoting responsible citizenship and honouring the Kabaka’s long-standing call for a clean and healthy environment.