National Cleaning Day: Local Government Directs CAOs, Town Clerks to Spearhead Nationwide Sanitation Exercise

What the report says

The Ministry of Local Government has instructed chief administrative officers, city town clerks and municipal town clerks across Uganda to lead clean-up activities on Saturday, October 31, 2026, as part of National Cleaning Day. According to Watchdog Uganda, the directive is meant to support public health, environmental hygiene and better waste management in communities.

The ministry’s circular, dated October 30 and signed by Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya, calls on local leaders to mobilize residents, prepare sanitation tools and arrange garbage trucks so waste collected during the exercise can be removed and disposed of properly. The article says the government has set the final Saturday of every month for nationwide clean-up days, with Lira City named as the main host for this month’s activities.

Beyond the lead host city, every district, city and municipality is expected to hold similar sanitation exercises in its own area. The ministry also circulated the directive to senior officials including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister of State for Local Government Balaam Barugahara, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, and regional administrative leaders.

Watchdog Uganda said the campaign is intended to help reduce disease risks, improve drainage and support cleaner commercial and residential spaces. More broadly, such sanitation drives are commonly used by local governments to encourage community participation and routine waste disposal, especially in urban areas.