Tenants, corporate employees faulted for shunning National Cleaning Day

What the report says

Local leaders in Gulu City have criticised some tenants and corporate employees for not taking part in Uganda’s National Cleaning Day, saying many treated sanitation as the landlord’s duty rather than a shared responsibility. The Independent Uganda, citing Uganda Radio Network, reported that the concern was raised in Gulu after the monthly cleanup exercise was held in the city centre and along the Gulu-Kampala highway.

According to the report, Alex Okoya, the LCII chairperson of Labourline Ward in Laroo-Pece Division, said he had received complaints that some residents in rented homes and hostels were refusing to clean their surroundings because they had already paid rent. David Okema, the LCII vice chairperson of Lawiyadul Ward, also said tenants should not hand over responsibility for hygiene and public health to landlords. He urged a change in attitude, arguing that cleanliness affects health in the wider community.

Amir Kamba, the deputy Gulu Resident City Commissioner for Bardege-Layibi Division, said some corporate institutions also failed to participate and warned that officials would follow up on non-compliance. The National Cleaning Day programme, launched in July, requires a three-hour monthly cleanup from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The article said Gulu streets were relatively quiet during the exercise, with many shops closed and traffic reduced. In broader context, the initiative is part of government efforts to improve sanitation, though the exact enforcement approach may vary by area.