Masaka City authorities have turned to outdoor megaphones, mobile public announcements and community leaders to mobilise residents for the second National Cleaning Day exercise, hoping to improve participation through persuasion rather than force.
The nationwide community cleaning exercise will take place on Saturday, August 29, from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, with security operatives expected to enforce the programme. Police have announced restrictions on vehicle movement during the exercise to encourage residents to remain within their localities and participate in the cleanup.
However, Masaka City authorities say they are adopting a more community-oriented approach to complement the enforcement measures. Ronald Kasekende, Chairperson of Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, said the city has started using outdoor megaphones to broadcast public service announcements encouraging residents to participate and improve the way they manage household waste.
Kasekende said previous attempts to enforce cleaning exercises through security agencies generated mixed reactions and contributed to poor participation, while irresponsible dumping of waste along roadsides and in drainage channels continued. He said the city will supplement prerecorded messages from political leaders and technocrats with sensitisation campaigns involving cultural and religious leaders who are trusted by local communities.“We want to promote the beauty of our country and encourage people to participate willingly rather than forcing them. This time, we want the approach to be different,” Kasekende said.
Kasekende said city authorities will also engage local security agencies to support the community-led mobilisation strategy during the exercise. He said persuasion and community participation are more likely to produce lasting improvements in waste management than relying primarily on force.The division chairperson noted that Masaka City had already established its own monthly community cleaning exercise, held on the last Friday of every month, before the national campaign was introduced.“We had already established our own cleaning exercise, and it was producing good results. We need to build on that momentum,” Kasekende said.
Musa Mabeeri, Masaka City Public Health Officer, said the cleaning exercise is also being used to promote long-term hygiene practices beyond the single cleanup day. He said residents are being encouraged to sort waste according to its nature and ensure proper disposal from the household level as part of efforts to prevent accumulation of garbage.Masaka City Council had earlier approved proposals to introduce hygiene competitions in schools and households as an incentive for residents to maintain better sanitation standards. The competitions, approved in 2025, are intended to encourage communities to take greater responsibility for cleanliness and improve hygiene standards beyond organised cleaning exercises-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
