The Prime Minister of Tooro Kingdom, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, has called on the government to review the implementation of the newly introduced National Cleaning Day, citing concerns over waste management, public sensitization, and the choice of the day for the exercise.
The government last weekend launched the National Cleaning Day initiative, designating the last Saturday of every month for community cleaning activities aimed at promoting environmental hygiene, proper waste management, and public participation in keeping towns and cities clean.
The directive requires businesses to close and restricts non-essential movement during the exercise. Speaking to URN, Rwomiire welcomed the initiative but warned that it could fall short of its intended objectives if key implementation challenges are not addressed.
He noted that while communities are being encouraged to collect garbage, many areas continue to struggle with uncollected waste due to inadequate disposal arrangements.
Rwomiire explained that Tooro Kingdom has been conducting community cleaning exercises since 2025 under its Baragirakiki (What Will They Say) initiative and has gained practical experience in mobilizing communities for environmental conservation.
He said broader consultations with stakeholders before the rollout of the National Cleaning Day would have helped the government anticipate and address some of the challenges now emerging.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of public sensitization, arguing that communities are more likely to participate willingly when they understand the purpose and benefits of the exercise.
He further questioned the choice of Saturday as the designated cleaning day, noting that it conflicts with the worship schedules of some religious groups. He suggested that a neutral weekday such as Thursday would allow broader participation.
His remarks echoed concerns raised by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, who also urged government to reconsider holding the exercise on Saturdays.
Speaking during his farewell service at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Sunday, Archbishop Kaziimba said Saturday conflicts with the worship practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is also a popular day for weddings and other religious functions. He noted that the initiative itself is commendable but argued that wider consultations with religious institutions and other stakeholders would have helped identify a more suitable day-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
