opinion 3 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Achieving Clean Cities Requires Cultured Citizens, Not Just Events
Columnist Nicholas Sengooba argues that sustainable city cleanliness in Uganda hinges on fostering a culture of civic responsibility among citizens, rather than relying on sporadic, event-driven clean-up campaigns. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/columnists/nicholas-sengooba/clean-cities-are-about-cultured-citizens-not-events-5546072
Nicholas Sengooba, writing for the Daily Monitor, posits that the aspiration for cleaner Ugandan cities should transcend temporary fixes and focus on cultivating a deep-seated sense of civic duty.
He observes that while periodic cleaning exercises, often tied to specific events or national holidays, generate temporary visual improvements, they fail to address the root causes of urban untidiness. Sengooba suggests that true cleanliness is a reflection of the citizens’ everyday behavior and their respect for their environment.
The author emphasizes that merely organizing clean-up drives, while well-intentioned, is insufficient. These efforts, he contends, can inadvertently create a dependency on external intervention, rather than empowering individuals and communities to take continuous ownership of their surroundings.
Sengooba advocates for a shift in mindset, urging Ugandans to embrace cleanliness as an integral part of their culture. This means integrating waste management and environmental consciousness into daily routines, transforming every day into an opportunity for maintaining cleanliness without the need for official directives or scheduled events.
Ultimately, the columnist believes that the path to cleaner cities lies in nurturing citizens who are inherently mindful of their actions and their impact on public spaces, leading to sustained and organic improvements. The focus, therefore, should be on education and behavioral change to foster a long-term culture of cleanliness.