Daniel Mugula
27/10/2026
The Government has urged Ugandans across the country to participate in the fourth National Cleaning Day on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 7am to 10am, with Lira City designated as the national cleanup site ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced that the exercise will be conducted simultaneously across the country, with all cities, districts, municipalities, town councils, sub-counties, parishes and villages expected to take part.
Nabbanja called on households, schools, businesses, institutions, community organisations and other stakeholders to prepare cleaning equipment and actively participate in maintaining clean and healthy surroundings.
She said the designation of Lira City as the national cleanup site should not be interpreted to mean that the exercise is limited to the northern city, emphasising that every Ugandan has a responsibility to protect the environment and promote proper sanitation.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing journalists at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), where she also commended Ugandans and national leaders for participating in the previous National Cleaning Days held on July 21, August 29 and September 26, 2026.
She thanked President Yoweri Museveni, Vice President Jessica Alupo, the leadership of Parliament, the Judiciary, ministers, Members of Parliament, local government leaders, religious and cultural leaders, the business community and security agencies for supporting the initiative.
She also recognised waste collection truck drivers, contractors and other service providers for their contribution to the programme.
Nabbanja directed local government authorities to strengthen sanitation supervision, ensure timely removal of accumulated rubbish and provide the necessary resources for the exercise, including cleaning tools, protective equipment, wheelbarrows, waste collection trucks, fuel and other logistical support.
She further stressed that collected waste must be transported to approved disposal or treatment facilities rather than being moved from one public space to another.
The Prime Minister identified roadsides, public walkways, markets, trading centres, drainage channels, schools, health facilities, residential neighbourhoods, workplaces and other public spaces as priority areas for cleaning.
She urged local government leaders, including Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners, district chairpersons, mayors, chief administrative officers, town clerks and Local Council I chairpersons, to mobilise communities, identify areas requiring attention and coordinate the exercise.
Nabbanja said the National Cleaning Day programme was intended not only to remove existing rubbish but also to promote lasting behavioural change and make cleanliness a permanent national value.
She encouraged Ugandans to sort waste at source where practicable, use designated collection points, dispose of rubbish only at authorised locations and avoid dumping waste in drainage channels and along roadsides.
“The objective is not simply to clean the country for three hours on one day. It is to establish cleanliness, proper sanitation and environmental responsibility as a permanent national value and everyday practice,” she said.
She added that maintaining clean homes, workplaces and neighbourhoods remained a daily responsibility, with the monthly exercise providing an opportunity for communities to work together on shared sanitation challenges.
The Government has also reminded the public that movement restrictions will remain in force from 7am to 10am on the designated National Cleaning Day.
Commissioner of Police James Ruhweza said security personnel would be deployed across the country to enforce the existing guidelines and ensure the exercise proceeds smoothly.
He urged members of the public to plan their journeys and other activities in advance and cooperate with security officers to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
The restrictions will apply to the movement of vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians during the designated hours, with exemptions for garbage collection trucks, medical and ambulance services, security personnel, foreign tourists, diplomats, health workers and people undertaking scheduled international travel who have the required supporting documents.
Authorities have urged the public to follow official guidance on the restrictions and applicable exemptions.
Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi urged Ugandans to treat cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation as essential public health responsibilities, warning that poor sanitation can expose communities to preventable illnesses.
He said the anticipated heavy rains made it particularly important for households to clear their surroundings, maintain drainage channels and prevent stagnant water from accumulating around homes.
According to Baryomunsi, stagnant water can provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria, while overgrown vegetation around homes can create hiding places for snakes, rats and other rodents.
He emphasised that the campaign should be driven by personal responsibility rather than the fear of government enforcement.
The minister observed that some residents had previously remained indoors during cleaning exercises instead of participating, urging households to take ownership of sanitation efforts.
He clarified that the monthly National Cleaning Day does not replace routine cleaning at home and in surrounding areas, but provides an opportunity for communities to come together and address shared sanitation needs.
Baryomunsi also called on newly elected LC I chairpersons to mobilise residents, identify communal areas requiring cleaning and lead efforts to maintain clean villages.
He said villages were the basic building blocks of the country and that keeping them clean would contribute to a healthier and more prosperous Uganda.
Lira City leaders said preparations for the October 31 exercise were underway, with mobilisation expected to involve residents, business operators, civil society organisations and local authorities.
The ruling party Cheif Whip Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said Lira City had been preparing for the exercise for about two weeks and would continue mobilising residents ahead of the national event.
She said the city’s designation as the national cleanup site was linked to its importance in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, but stressed that the exercise was also intended to improve the living environment for residents.
Aceng called on residents, business owners, political leaders and civil society organisations to turn up with cleaning equipment and help make the city cleaner, healthier and more attractive to visitors.
She said a clean environment would improve air quality, enhance the appearance of the city and create a more suitable setting for residents and international visitors.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul said urban councils across the country were preparing for the fourth National Cleaning Day, with the aim of making urban areas healthier, cleaner and more liveable.
He urged Ugandans to embrace a change in mindset and recognise environmental cleanliness as a shared responsibility.
Lira’s role as the national cleanup site comes as Uganda prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside its co-hosts, Kenya and Tanzania.
Nabbanja urged political, religious, cultural and community leaders to lead by example by participating in the exercise and encouraging residents to keep their surroundings clean throughout the year.
She said the success of the initiative would depend on effective planning, strong leadership, community participation and responsible waste management.
The Government expressed appreciation to all Ugandans who had participated in the previous exercises and called for even greater involvement in the upcoming nationwide cleanup.
The fourth National Cleaning Day is part of the Government’s broader efforts to improve sanitation, protect the environment and promote public health. Authorities have reiterated that the monthly exercise is intended to complement, rather than replace, everyday efforts by individuals, households and institutions to maintain clean surroundings.
The Government has called on all Ugandans to participate on Saturday, October 31, and sustain the spirit of cleanliness beyond the three-hour exercise.
