Dokolo, Uganda | The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Dokolo, Barbara Akech, has commended residents, security agencies and the business community for turning up to participate in the National Cleaning Day exercise held on Saturday, saying a clean environment is essential for improving public health and attracting development.
The exercise, conducted across Dokolo Town Council from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed a recent directive by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja declaring the last Saturday of every month as National Cleaning Day.
Speaking after the exercise, Akech praised the District Police Commander (DPC) Patience Baganzi, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, health workers, market vendors, the business community, boda boda riders and members of the media for actively participating.
“I thank everyone who responded to this important national call. Keeping our environment clean is a collective responsibility and everyone has a role to play,” Akech said.
She acknowledged that enforcement remained a challenge, noting that many business premises remained open during the exercise while some residents were unaware of the government directive.
Despite the challenges, she applauded security agencies for ensuring the exercise was successfully conducted.
Akech also thanked journalists for not only covering the activity but also joining residents in cleaning the town.
She said regular community clean-up exercises would help reduce outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea, while clearing stagnant water would eliminate mosquito breeding sites and contribute to lowering malaria infections.
According to Akech, maintaining a clean and orderly town also strengthens Dokolo’s prospects for future urban development, including aspirations for municipal status.
She further commended Dokolo Town Council LCIII Chairperson for providing a tractor that was used to collect and transport garbage during the exercise.
Meanwhile, Esther Atim, a silverfish vendor at Dokolo Main Market, described the exercise as beneficial for traders because it promotes a healthier business environment.
However, she appealed to the district leadership to provide waste management equipment, including wheelbarrows, gloves and gumboots, saying the lack of protective gear makes garbage collection difficult and unhygienic.
“We also need a proper waste container where market vendors can dispose of rubbish instead of dumping it in open spaces,” Atim said.
Background
The National Cleaning Day was introduced following a directive by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja requiring all Ugandans to dedicate the last Saturday of every month, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., to cleaning their homes, workplaces, markets, schools and public spaces.
The initiative is intended to improve sanitation, prevent diseases linked to poor waste management, promote environmental conservation and encourage communities to take collective responsibility for maintaining clean surroundings.
Government officials have urged citizens to actively participate, saying a cleaner environment contributes to better public health, improved urban planning and enhanced community well-being.
