Here Comes the Mandatory Monthly National Cleaning Days

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Uganda has formalised monthly National Cleaning Days, making participation compulsory for government institutions, local governments and citizens. The programme is set out in Cabinet Circular No. 1 of 2026, dated June 30 and signed by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, following a Cabinet decision of August 11, 2025. According to the report, the initiative began on July 1, with the first national clean-up planned for Saturday, July 25.

The exercises are to take place on the last Saturday of every month from 8am to 11am. Nile Post says the government’s stated aims include improving sanitation and hygiene, reducing disease linked to poor sanitation, protecting drainage systems and water sources, and encouraging environmental responsibility. The programme is framed as a nationwide effort involving ministries, departments and agencies, local authorities, the private sector, civil society, religious and cultural institutions, development partners and communities.

The Office of the Prime Minister will provide overall coordination and policy oversight, while the Ministry of Health will lead technical implementation, monitoring and reporting. Ministries, departments, agencies and local governments were directed to name focal persons, mobilise staff and communities, include the programme in work plans and budgets, and submit implementation reports. Schools, health facilities, markets, prisons, places of worship and other public institutions are also expected to take part.

Nile Post notes that non-compliance by government accounting officers and institutional heads will be treated as failure to implement a Cabinet decision. The report places the initiative in the context of Uganda’s older Bulungi Bwansi communal work tradition and similar organised clean-up programmes in countries such as Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.