National Cleaning: tourists stranded, buses rescheduled as banks open late

What the report says

The Observer reported that Uganda’s first mandatory monthly National Cleaning Day disrupted transport, banking and business activity on Saturday morning in Kampala, other major towns and along highways. The exercise, led nationally by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and state minister Beatrice Anywar, had been announced by the Office of the Prime Minister and publicised through government and media channels. However, the rollout still surprised many travellers and businesses, especially because movement restrictions were enforced from early morning until 10:00 am.

According to the report, security and enforcement teams stopped vehicles at checkpoints from about 7:00 am, leaving some long-distance passengers waiting by the roadside after journeys were interrupted. Link Bus Services Ltd, a major operator serving western Uganda and border towns, told passengers late Friday that departures would run only between 4:00 am and 6:00 am before a sanitation pause until 10:00 am, with normal services resuming at 10:10 am. At Buloba, passengers on a bus headed to Bundibugyo via Fort Portal argued over whether the public had received enough notice.

The Observer said some traders were directed to close during the exercise, while commercial banks delayed Saturday opening until midday or 12:30 pm and advised customers to use ATMs and digital channels. Some banks reportedly extended service hours later in the day.

Tour operators also reported itinerary delays, including tourists travelling toward Kampala and Entebbe who were stopped at checkpoints and in some cases forced to reschedule flights. The report said the exercise was welcomed by many as a sanitation and public health measure, but its first implementation exposed communication and operational gaps affecting transport, tourism and essential services.