Uganda Launches Mandatory Monthly National Cleaning Days: No Vehicles, No Business Operations for Three Hours

[Da Dona]

For three hours every month, Uganda will pause—not for a holiday or celebration—but to unite in a nationwide effort to clean the country.
The Government of Uganda has officially unveiled the National Cleaning Days (NCDs) Initiative, a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging every Ugandan to take an active role in keeping communities clean, healthy, and safe.

The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister ahead of its official launch on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The launch will be officiated by Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at Kiti Zone, Kisenyi III Parish in Kampala Central Division, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Approved by Cabinet under a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, the initiative seeks to improve sanitation, prevent disease, protect the environment, and promote a lasting culture of civic responsibility across the country.

Starting this month, the last Saturday of every month from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. will be observed as National Cleaning Day. During these three hours, citizens will be expected to clean their homes, neighborhoods, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship, roads, drainage channels, and other public spaces.

Speaking during the briefing, Nabbanja emphasized that keeping Uganda clean is a shared responsibility.
"Keeping our environment clean is a civic responsibility. This initiative provides a regular opportunity for collective action to address sanitation challenges and promote lasting behaviour change," she said.

"No vehicle, including boda bodas, will be allowed to operate, and no shops or businesses will open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month."
— She directed.
Watch 👇

The campaign comes as Uganda continues to battle preventable diseases linked to poor sanitation. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 75% of the country's disease burden is preventable, with poor environmental hygiene contributing significantly to illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, and typhoid.

Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the monthly exercise will strengthen disease prevention efforts.
"By keeping our environment clean, eliminating stagnant water and managing waste properly, we can prevent many diseases before they occur. Prevention remains one of the most effective public health interventions," he said.

Beyond improving public health, the initiative is also expected to support environmental conservation by promoting proper waste management, cleaner drainage systems, improved water quality, wetland protection, and continued forest recovery.

Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo said her ministry will spearhead nationwide awareness campaigns through television, radio, digital platforms, and mobile communication channels to encourage active public participation.
She urged Ugandans to embrace cleanliness as a daily responsibility rather than a one-time activity and encouraged citizens to share their monthly cleaning efforts to inspire others.

The Uganda Police Force has pledged to support the initiative, noting that while enforcement will be available where necessary, the success of the program will largely depend on voluntary public participation.
Development partners have also welcomed the initiative. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described it as an important step toward fostering lasting behavioural change and making environmental responsibility part of everyday life.

The National Cleaning Days Initiative will be coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Office of the President, Ministry of Health, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Water and Environment, the Uganda Police Force, and local governments.

As Uganda prepares for the inaugural National Cleaning Day this Saturday, the government is calling on every citizen to dedicate three hours every month to cleaning their surroundings, protecting public health, and preserving the environment.
"A cleaner Uganda starts with every one of us."

Sources: Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of ICT.​

 

[Da Dona]

View attachment 3635687
For three hours every month, Uganda will pause—not for a holiday or celebration—but to unite in a nationwide effort to clean the country.
The Government of Uganda has officially unveiled the National Cleaning Days (NCDs) Initiative, a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging every Ugandan to take an active role in keeping communities clean, healthy, and safe.

View attachment 3635689
The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister ahead of its official launch on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The launch will be officiated by Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at Kiti Zone, Kisenyi III Parish in Kampala Central Division, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Approved by Cabinet under a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, the initiative seeks to improve sanitation, prevent disease, protect the environment, and promote a lasting culture of civic responsibility across the country.

Starting this month, the last Saturday of every month from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. will be observed as National Cleaning Day. During these three hours, citizens will be expected to clean their homes, neighborhoods, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship, roads, drainage channels, and other public spaces.

Speaking during the briefing, Nabbanja emphasized that keeping Uganda clean is a shared responsibility.
"Keeping our environment clean is a civic responsibility. This initiative provides a regular opportunity for collective action to address sanitation challenges and promote lasting behaviour change," she said.

"No vehicle, including boda bodas, will be allowed to operate, and no shops or businesses will open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month."
— She directed.
Watch 👇
View attachment 3635694

The campaign comes as Uganda continues to battle preventable diseases linked to poor sanitation. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 75% of the country's disease burden is preventable, with poor environmental hygiene contributing significantly to illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, and typhoid.

Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the monthly exercise will strengthen disease prevention efforts.
"By keeping our environment clean, eliminating stagnant water and managing waste properly, we can prevent many diseases before they occur. Prevention remains one of the most effective public health interventions," he said.

Beyond improving public health, the initiative is also expected to support environmental conservation by promoting proper waste management, cleaner drainage systems, improved water quality, wetland protection, and continued forest recovery.

Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo said her ministry will spearhead nationwide awareness campaigns through television, radio, digital platforms, and mobile communication channels to encourage active public participation.
She urged Ugandans to embrace cleanliness as a daily responsibility rather than a one-time activity and encouraged citizens to share their monthly cleaning efforts to inspire others.

The Uganda Police Force has pledged to support the initiative, noting that while enforcement will be available where necessary, the success of the program will largely depend on voluntary public participation.
Development partners have also welcomed the initiative. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described it as an important step toward fostering lasting behavioural change and making environmental responsibility part of everyday life.
View attachment 3635690
The National Cleaning Days Initiative will be coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Office of the President, Ministry of Health, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Water and Environment, the Uganda Police Force, and local governments.

As Uganda prepares for the inaugural National Cleaning Day this Saturday, the government is calling on every citizen to dedicate three hours every month to cleaning their surroundings, protecting public health, and preserving the environment.
"A cleaner Uganda starts with every one of us."

Sources: Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of ICT.​

Update: Police Restrict Vehicle Movement During National Cleaning Day

The Uganda Police Force has announced a nationwide restriction on the movement of all vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and vessels during the National Cleaning Day on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

According to a police press statement, no traffic will be allowed on roads or water bodies during the three-hour exercise, except for emergency services. The restriction is intended to support the government's National Cleaning Day initiative aimed at promoting a cleaner environment, improving public health, and preventing diseases linked to poor sanitation.

The National Cleaning Days officially begin on Saturday, July 25, and will thereafter be observed on the last Saturday of every month, with a mandatory three-hour nationwide shutdown during which transport, businesses, and other non-essential activities will temporarily halt to allow communities to participate in the exercise. The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to strengthen sanitation, improve environmental cleanliness, and encourage collective responsibility in keeping Uganda clean.

The public has been urged to remain in their communities and actively participate in the cleaning exercise before normal activities resume at 10:00 a.m.

Police clarified that emergency and medical services, security vehicles on official duty, and cross-border traffic along major transport corridors will be exempt from the restriction. Citizens have also been advised to cooperate with security personnel and seek guidance from police officers where necessary.

 

[Da Dona]

View attachment 3635687
For three hours every month, Uganda will pause—not for a holiday or celebration—but to unite in a nationwide effort to clean the country.
The Government of Uganda has officially unveiled the National Cleaning Days (NCDs) Initiative, a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging every Ugandan to take an active role in keeping communities clean, healthy, and safe.

View attachment 3635689
The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister ahead of its official launch on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The launch will be officiated by Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at Kiti Zone, Kisenyi III Parish in Kampala Central Division, beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Approved by Cabinet under a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, the initiative seeks to improve sanitation, prevent disease, protect the environment, and promote a lasting culture of civic responsibility across the country.

Starting this month, the last Saturday of every month from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. will be observed as National Cleaning Day. During these three hours, citizens will be expected to clean their homes, neighborhoods, markets, schools, health facilities, places of worship, roads, drainage channels, and other public spaces.

Speaking during the briefing, Nabbanja emphasized that keeping Uganda clean is a shared responsibility.
"Keeping our environment clean is a civic responsibility. This initiative provides a regular opportunity for collective action to address sanitation challenges and promote lasting behaviour change," she said.

"No vehicle, including boda bodas, will be allowed to operate, and no shops or businesses will open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month."
— She directed.
Watch 👇
View attachment 3635694

The campaign comes as Uganda continues to battle preventable diseases linked to poor sanitation. According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 75% of the country's disease burden is preventable, with poor environmental hygiene contributing significantly to illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, and typhoid.

Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the monthly exercise will strengthen disease prevention efforts.
"By keeping our environment clean, eliminating stagnant water and managing waste properly, we can prevent many diseases before they occur. Prevention remains one of the most effective public health interventions," he said.

Beyond improving public health, the initiative is also expected to support environmental conservation by promoting proper waste management, cleaner drainage systems, improved water quality, wetland protection, and continued forest recovery.

Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo said her ministry will spearhead nationwide awareness campaigns through television, radio, digital platforms, and mobile communication channels to encourage active public participation.
She urged Ugandans to embrace cleanliness as a daily responsibility rather than a one-time activity and encouraged citizens to share their monthly cleaning efforts to inspire others.

The Uganda Police Force has pledged to support the initiative, noting that while enforcement will be available where necessary, the success of the program will largely depend on voluntary public participation.
Development partners have also welcomed the initiative. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described it as an important step toward fostering lasting behavioural change and making environmental responsibility part of everyday life.
View attachment 3635690
The National Cleaning Days Initiative will be coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Office of the President, Ministry of Health, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Water and Environment, the Uganda Police Force, and local governments.

As Uganda prepares for the inaugural National Cleaning Day this Saturday, the government is calling on every citizen to dedicate three hours every month to cleaning their surroundings, protecting public health, and preserving the environment.
"A cleaner Uganda starts with every one of us."

Sources: Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of ICT.​

Update 2: SDA Church Seeks Exemption from Mandatory National Cleaning Days Over Sabbath Observance

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has appealed to the government for an exemption from Uganda's newly introduced National Cleaning Days, saying the monthly exercise clashes with its Sabbath worship.

The request comes ahead of the first nationwide cleaning exercise scheduled for Saturday, July 25, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., during which transport, businesses, and other non-essential activities will be suspended.

In a pastoral letter, Uganda Union Mission President Pastor Samuel Kajoba said the church fully supports efforts to promote sanitation and a healthy environment but cannot compromise the sanctity of the Sabbath, which Adventists observe from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

"While the Seventh-day Adventist Church fully supports initiatives that promote a clean and healthy environment, we remain committed to the sanctity of the Seventh-day Sabbath as ordained by God," Kajoba said.

Kajoba said church leaders are engaging the government to allow Adventists to participate in the cleaning exercise on Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday, stressing that the discussions seek to uphold both the national objective and the constitutional right to freedom of worship.

The initiative has also drawn criticism from exiled lawyer and author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who argues that the government lacks the legal authority to compel citizens to participate in mandatory community cleaning through a Cabinet circular. He contends that such obligations require legislation passed by Parliament and that the directive conflicts with constitutional provisions and existing laws governing public health and local governments.

Despite the concerns raised, the government has maintained that the first National Cleaning Day will proceed as planned, with police enforcing movement restrictions during the three-hour exercise.

The monthly initiative, launched by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, will be observed on the last Saturday of every month to improve sanitation, protect public health, and promote environmental cleanliness.​