Deputy RCC Faults Political Leaders Over Low Turnout in Mbarara Cleaning Exercise

What the report says

Deputy Resident City Commissioner Gerald Tukamuhebwa has criticised elected leaders in Mbarara City South Division for failing to take part in the monthly National Cleaning Day exercise, according to Nile Post. He said the absence of some local political leaders during Saturday’s activity weakened efforts to promote sanitation and environmental hygiene, even though residents were expected to clear garbage, open blocked drainage channels and clean public spaces.

Tukamuhebwa said several LC I and II leaders had been active during the election period but had since stopped joining the monthly exercise. He also said security officers were deployed at checkpoints across the division to ensure compliance during the designated cleaning hours. Under the enforcement approach he described, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists who moved around without participating were stopped and made to join the cleanup before continuing.

The report says Tukamuhebwa singled out participation in Ruti, where residents reportedly arrived early to clean Kikoona Market. He praised that turnout and said the market, which he described as previously very dirty, had been cleaned well. Schools and organisations also joined the exercise, including Nyakayojo Peoples SACCO.

The broader context is Uganda’s National Cleaning Day campaign, which is meant to encourage community sanitation and reduce diseases linked to poor waste management. Tukamuhebwa said the enforcement will continue in future monthly exercises, while the SACCO representative said the effort supports public health and behaviour change.