Security forces and other stakeholders joined communities across Uganda in a nationwide cleaning exercise on Saturday as the country marked the Second National Cleaning Day.
In Gulu City, personnel from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force and Uganda Wildlife Authority, among other stakeholders, cleaned key public facilities, including Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and the main market.
Speaking during the exercise, Minister of State for Northern Uganda in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Beatrice Akello Akori, said maintaining a clean environment was essential to Uganda’s social and economic development.
She urged Ugandans to make cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than waiting for designated national cleaning days.
Hon. Akori further commended the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for organising the Inter-Forces Games in Gulu, saying the event had strengthened cooperation and friendship between security forces and the people of the city.
The Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture (JS FESC), UPDF, and Chairperson of the Inter-Forces Games 2026 Organising Committee, Major General Richard Karemire, said UPDF personnel participated in cleaning Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and the main market as part of the national exercise.
Maj Gen Karemire said maintaining a clean environment was critical to safeguarding public health and preventing diseases.
He thanked the administration of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital for allowing security personnel to participate in the cleaning exercise at the facility.
“We are grateful to the administration of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital for granting us the opportunity to come and clean so that we can secure a healthy environment for the patients,” he said.
Gulu City Mayor Julius Labeja commended the security forces for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, particularly in their barracks.
“I admire the armed forces because of their cleanliness. The barracks of the prisons, police and army are very clean,” Labeja said.
In Bombo, Luwero District, UPDF personnel joined local leaders, residents and other stakeholders in the cleaning exercise, providing fuel and equipment to support the initiative.
The exercise was led by the Director of Human Resource Management, Land Forces, Brig Gen Emmanuel Ewama Ayuk, who encouraged residents to properly dispose of rubbish and use designated waste disposal points.
Mayor Araphat Nsereko commended the UPDF for supporting the exercise with personnel, fuel and equipment.
He said the participation of uniformed personnel in community activities should encourage residents to take greater responsibility for keeping Bombo clean.
“I take this opportunity to thank UPDF for the support they have put in, the fuel and equipment that are helping in the cleaning,” Nsereko said.
In Moroto Municipality, security agencies, local leaders, youth groups, market vendors and residents came together to clean streets, clear drainage channels, collect garbage and clean public facilities.
The 3 Infantry Division Commander, Brig Gen Michael Walaka Hyeroba, thanked the Government and the people of Moroto Municipality for the teamwork and cooperation demonstrated during the exercise.
He urged communities across Karamoja to make cleanliness a daily habit rather than limiting it to National Cleaning Day.
“Cleaning should start at the household and extend to our communities,” he added.
Moroto Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Francis Adome Lorika, called on residents across Karamoja to work closely with security agencies in promoting peace, security and development.
In Masindi Municipality, personnel from the UPDF Artillery Division joined sister security agencies and local communities in cleaning areas including Kirasa, Kabango Town and Kabango Market.
The exercise was led by the Division Administration Officer, Lt Col Balaam Ainomugisha, who commended local leaders and residents for turning up in large numbers and supporting government programmes.
Lt Col Ainomugisha sensitised residents on the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment and urged them to sustain the practice beyond the designated national cleaning days.
The exercise concluded with a renewed call for communities to make cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than an activity reserved for National Cleaning Day.
