Political leaders in Tororo District have welcomed the launch of the National Cleaning Day campaign, describing it as a timely initiative that will improve public hygiene and enhance Uganda’s image as the country prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The campaign, launched nationwide on Saturday, saw leaders across Tororo mobilise residents to clean streets, markets, trading centres and other public spaces within their respective constituencies.
In Tororo County South, Member of Parliament Frederick Angura joined hundreds of residents in Apokor Town Council, where they spent nearly four hours collecting garbage and clearing drainage channels.
Angura said maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility and an important requirement as Uganda prepares to welcome thousands of visitors from across Africa during the continental football tournament.
“We are going to host the Africa Cup of Nations and receive visitors from across the globe. They need to find Uganda clean. I thank the government for this initiative,” Angura said.
In neighbouring Tororo County North, MP Nicholas Owino led residents and schoolchildren in cleaning trading centres but noted that the exercise exposed gaps in the district’s waste management systems.
Owino said participants struggled to find proper disposal points for the collected waste, urging the government to establish designated dumping sites to support future cleaning exercises.
“Before I arrived here, people were asking where they should dump the rubbish. Government needs to establish proper dumping sites for our garbage,” he said.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth, who also represents West Budama Central Constituency, joined residents in a community clean-up exercise in Muwafu Village.
Despite the enthusiasm from communities, the exercise exposed shortages of basic sanitation equipment, with some participants collecting waste using bare hands due to a lack of protective gear such as gloves and gumboots.
Angura called on the government to provide the necessary equipment and ensure the initiative continues through regular community cleaning campaigns.
“This day should not stop. It should continue so that Uganda becomes a cleaner country, beginning from our homes to trading centres and community access roads,” he said.
District leaders also raised concerns about the limited capacity to manage waste after collection. Tororo currently has only one garbage truck, making it difficult to transport the large volumes of waste generated during the exercise.
Tororo District Chairperson John Okea appealed to the government to increase investment in sanitation by providing more garbage trucks and waste management equipment.
“We collected a lot of garbage, but we had only one truck, which was not enough to transport it,” Okea said.
Leaders expressed optimism that with increased public awareness, improved waste management infrastructure and sustained government support, the National Cleaning Day initiative could significantly improve sanitation standards across Tororo District and the country.