Uganda to require monthly community clean-up

Ugandan authorities said people in the country will be required to spend three hours cleaning their communities on the last Saturday of every month or face legal action. The first National Cleaning Day is scheduled for this Saturday from 7:00 am to 10:00 am local time, or 0400 to 0700 GMT, with security officers enforcing the exercise.

Government spokesperson Dennis Patrick Katungi said the clean-up is compulsory for Ugandans aged 18 to 65. He said people older than 65 may join if they wish, and parents may involve their teenage children.

Businesses across Uganda will remain closed during the exercise, and vehicle movement will be restricted. Police said on X that vehicles, vessels, motorcycles and bicycles would not be allowed on roads or water bodies except in emergencies.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said participation was a civic responsibility and was not optional. She warned that people who fail to comply will face enforcement action. She also said foreigners living in Uganda will be required to take part.

Authorities said the country has problems with waste disposal. Kampala generates 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes of solid waste each day, but city authorities say only about half is collected and safely disposed of. They say the remaining waste ends up in drainage channels and pollutes the environment.

Similar mandatory community work exists in neighbouring countries. In Rwanda, a similar exercise has been mandatory since 2007, with unjustified absence punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 Rwandan francs, about three euros. Burundi introduced mandatory community development work in 2006, held on the last Saturday of each month.