Lira City Enforces Monthly Clean-Up Drive as Leaders Push Tougher Waste Management

What the report says

Nile Post reported that Lira City authorities are tightening waste management measures as they implement the government’s National Monthly Clean-Up Day and address rising garbage volumes in the city. According to the report, Mayor Sam Atul said during Saturday’s launch that Lira had started the programme a month earlier after receiving guidance to improve sanitation and waste handling.

Atul said the city has seen better garbage collection around Lira Main Market, but warned that the disposal site is struggling with the amount of waste brought in daily. He urged residents and businesses to sort waste where it is generated, saying a large share of material now dumped could be recycled. The city is also applying a “polluter pays” approach, under which households and businesses are expected to help meet collection and disposal costs.

The mayor also appealed for central government action on Lira City’s proposed sanitation ordinance, which he said has been awaiting clearance from the Attorney General’s chambers for more than nine months. Nile Post reported that the ordinance is intended to strengthen enforcement, including penalties for illegal dumping and requirements for households to manage waste properly. Atul further called for more public health officers to support inspections and community sensitization.

Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole criticized residents and traders who do not join clean-up activities, saying authorities will enforce participation on the last Saturday of every month. He warned that businesses around Lira Main Market could face restrictions if their surroundings are not cleaned. The measures matter because urban waste pressure can affect public health, drainage, market conditions and broader environmental conservation efforts.