The government has urged Ugandans to make proper waste management and environmental cleanliness part of their daily routines ahead of the Fourth National Cleaning Day scheduled for October 31 in Lira City.
Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja said on Tuesday that Lira had been selected as the national cleanup site in recognition of its anticipated role in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
She said the exercise would be conducted nationwide, with districts, cities, municipalities, town councils, sub-counties, parishes and villages expected to participate.
Nabbanja urged the public to sort waste at source where possible, use designated collection points, dispose of rubbish at authorised facilities and avoid dumping garbage along roadsides and in drainage channels.
She also called on households, businesses, institutions and public bodies to maintain clean surroundings throughout the year.
Nabbanja said the national cleaning exercise was intended to reinforce, rather than replace, the daily responsibility of keeping the environment clean.
She urged ministers, Members of Parliament, local government officials, cultural and religious leaders, businesses and community leaders to participate and mobilise residents.
Lira City Woman MP Jane Ruth Aceng said preparations for the exercise had been underway for two weeks, with the city expecting government officials and other invited guests.
“We have been preparing for the last two weeks, and we continue to prepare, because we are aware that we are going to be hosting high-level delegates who will come to join us in cleaning the city,” Aceng said.
She called on residents to turn up early on October 31 and clean their surroundings.“We are not cleaning our city for AFCON. We are cleaning our city so that our city is a clean city, fit for us to reside in, but also fit to host international guests, visitors and tourists,” she said.
Aceng said improved sanitation would help create a healthier environment for residents and make the city more welcoming to visitors.
Lira City Mayor Sam Aturu urged more than 587 urban councils across the country to work with the government to improve sanitation and promote responsible waste management.
“We want to work together with the Government of Uganda to make all our urban councils liveable, healthy, and an environment that everyone can enjoy,” Aturu said.
Aturu said Lira’s designation as the national cleanup site offered urban authorities an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to improving sanitation. He added that the city’s anticipated role in the 2027 AFCON had reinforced the need to improve its urban environment.
He called on urban leaders, government officials and residents to participate in the national exercise.
By URN
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