Kizito Ronald Jjuuko: “Shot from behind,” while making Uganda clean again…

What the report says

The Observer’s commentary centers on the death of Kizito Ronald Jjuuko, a 38-year-old boda boda rider, husband and father, whom Uganda Radio Network reported was shot from behind during a police operation to limit movement on the second National Cleaning Day on August 29. The piece presents the killing as a serious and needless loss and argues that it should prompt a review of how the cleaning exercise is being enforced.

According to the article, the cleaning campaign was intended to improve sanitation in Uganda, especially in Kampala, where rubbish and dirty streets have long been visible concerns. The writer says many people initially welcomed the initiative but also had doubts because of a lack of trust between citizens and government. The article criticizes what it describes as a heavy-handed approach by police and other authorities, saying early enforcement was marked by intimidation and violence.

The commentary contrasts coercive methods with public-health and civic campaigns that relied on persuasion, community leadership and participation. It cites examples such as Singapore’s long-term clean-up efforts, Uganda’s HIV/AIDS mobilization, and community-driven sanitation initiatives. It also points to local models of voluntary participation, including Bulungi Bwansi in Buganda and a village example in Bamutakudde led by journalist Solomon Serwanjja.

Broadly, the article argues that cleanliness campaigns are more likely to succeed through trust, education and visible civic leadership than through armed enforcement. It uses Jjuuko’s death to question whether security forces should be involved in such operations at all, and what that says about policing, public order and governance in Uganda.