KAMPALA, UGANDA — Uganda on Saturday held its first mandatory National Cleaning Day, bringing roads, businesses and transport services across several parts of the country to an unusual standstill as security agencies enforced a three-hour restriction on non-essential movement.
The nationwide exercise ran from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Residents were expected to remain within their communities and participate in cleaning homes, roads, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship, drainage channels and other public spaces.
Police officers mounted roadblocks and stopped vehicles attempting to move during the restricted hours.
Reports from different towns showed deserted roads, closed businesses, and parked taxis and motorcycles as the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and local leaders supervised the exercise.
In its official advisory, the Uganda Police Force said vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and vessels were prohibited from using roads and water bodies during the cleaning period.
Exemptions were provided for medical and other emergency services, security vehicles on official duty and cross-border traffic travelling along major transport routes.
People attending scheduled medical treatment were advised to carry supporting documents, while medical personnel were required to present identification.
Ahead of the exercise, Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ocaya warned that security agencies would enforce compliance and could use force where necessary against people deliberately disregarding lawful instructions.
The National Cleaning Days initiative was officially launched in Kisenyi, Kampala, with Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, government officials and residents participating in the exercise.
The government said the programme was approved by Cabinet on 11 August 2025 as part of a national effort to improve sanitation, protect public health, prevent sanitation-related diseases and promote responsible waste management.
Under the new programme, the last Saturday of every month will be observed as National Cleaning Day from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
The government has emphasised that the monthly exercise does not replace the responsibility of households, businesses and institutions to maintain cleanliness every day.
Adventists Raise Sabbath Concerns
The decision to conduct the exercise on Saturday drew concern from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, whose members observe the Sabbath from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.
In a communication issued before the inaugural exercise, Uganda Union Mission President Pastor Samuel Kajoba said the Church supported the goal of creating clean and healthy communities but could not compromise the sanctity of the Sabbath.
Church leaders proposed that Adventists be allowed to complete their community-cleaning duties on Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday.
For the inaugural exercise, Adventist congregations were advised to begin Sabbath worship at 10:30 a.m., while members were encouraged to undertake their cleaning responsibilities on Sunday as Church leaders continued discussions with the government.
This was an interim Church arrangement rather than a permanent nationwide exemption.
The Uganda Police Force’s public advisory did not include religious groups among the formally listed exemptions.
Mixed Public Response
Many Ugandans participated by sweeping streets, clearing drainage channels and collecting rubbish.
Others raised concerns about compulsory participation, movement restrictions, insufficient cleaning equipment and the collection of rubbish gathered during the exercise.
Prime Minister Nabbanja said detailed implementation guidelines had been completed and would be communicated to the public by the Ministry of Health.
The guidelines are expected to clarify the responsibilities of individuals, institutions, local governments and security agencies during future cleaning days.
The next National Cleaning Day is expected to take place on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
The government hopes the monthly exercise will revive Uganda’s traditional spirit of community service and build a lasting culture of environmental responsibility across the country.
