Karenga Residents Embrace First National Cleaning Day

By Richard Onapatum

KARENGA, July 25, 2026 — Residents of Karenga District on Saturday joined the rest of the country in observing Uganda’s first National Cleaning Day, participating in a three-hour community clean-up exercise aimed at promoting sanitation, protecting public health, and fostering environmental responsibility.

The exercise, held from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., brought together local leaders, security personnel, civil servants, health workers, students, traders, and community members who cleaned streets, markets, health facilities, schools, trading centres, and drainage channels across the district.

The monthly exercise follows a government directive designating the last Saturday of every month as National Cleaning Day to encourage collective action in maintaining clean and healthy communities.

Speaking during the exercise, Karenga Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ronald Kedi Ongodia commended residents for turning up in large numbers and urged them to make cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than a once-a-month activity.

“Cleanliness starts with each one of us. A clean environment protects our families from preventable diseases and reflects our commitment to community development. We encourage every household, institution, and business to maintain proper sanitation every day, not only during the monthly clean-up,” Ongodia said.

He noted that poor waste management and blocked drainage systems contribute to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, and malaria, emphasizing that prevention begins with keeping homes and public spaces clean.

Residents were seen sweeping roads, collecting litter, clearing bushes, removing plastic waste, and unblocking drainage channels in various parts of the district. Public institutions, including schools and health facilities, also participated in the exercise.

Security personnel worked alongside local leaders to coordinate the clean-up, while the Uganda Police Force enforced temporary restrictions on non-essential movement during the designated hours to allow communities to participate safely.

The Government introduced the National Cleaning Day initiative as part of broader efforts to improve environmental sanitation, reduce the burden of sanitation-related diseases, and promote civic responsibility across the country.

Local leaders in Karenga appealed to residents to sustain the spirit demonstrated during the exercise by maintaining clean compounds, proper waste disposal practices, and regular community clean-up activities throughout the month.

As Uganda begins implementing the monthly initiative, officials say continued public participation will be key to creating healthier, cleaner, and more resilient communities.

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