Tourists stranded, buses rescheduled, banks open late on 1st Cleaning Day

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reported that Uganda’s first monthly National Cleaning Day disrupted movement and business on Saturday morning, July 26, 2026, in Kampala, other urban centres and along major highways. The exercise had been announced by the Office of the Prime Minister and circulated by government agencies and media platforms, but the report said many travellers and businesses were still unprepared for how it would be enforced.

According to the report, police stopped vehicles from about 7:00 a.m., leaving some bus passengers and night travellers unable to proceed until the cleaning period ended around 10:00 a.m. Link Bus Services Ltd, which operates routes between Kampala and western border areas, reportedly told customers it would run early departures between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., pause departures during the sanitation period, and resume after 10:00 a.m.; however, the notice was said to have gone out late the previous night.

The Independent also reported that some shops closed during the exercise, while commercial banks that normally open at 9:00 a.m. on weekends delayed opening until midday or later, advising customers to use ATMs and mobile banking. In some areas, business reportedly continued as usual, suggesting uneven implementation or awareness.

The article highlighted concerns for the travel and tourism sector, including reports of tourist vehicles held at checkpoints and travellers heading to Kampala or Entebbe Airport being forced to reschedule flights. The report said the disruptions point to the need for clearer guidelines, especially for essential services and time-sensitive travel.