Government Deploys Garbage Trucks for National Cleaning Initiative

The Ugandan government has announced plans to deploy garbage collection trucks across the country to bolster the upcoming national cleaning day, scheduled for August 29, 2026. This move comes in response to observations from the inaugural national cleaning day held on July 25, 2026, where significant amounts of collected waste were left uncollected in various urban areas.

Kampala District Woman Representative, Hon. Shamim Malende, highlighted the pressing issue of poor waste management in the capital and its surrounding districts, warning of potential public health and environmental risks. She emphasized the need for a robust collection plan to ensure the success of future cleaning exercises.

In response, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Ruth Aceng, acknowledged the challenges faced during the initial event, stating that the government was “overwhelmed.” However, she assured Parliament that steps are being taken to address these gaps. “In the future, we will have more trucks all over the country because it is a national activity,” Aceng stated.

The government is also exploring partnerships to make the waste management initiative more sustainable and effective. Hon. Aceng expressed confidence that with “serious sensitization,” the program will yield better results, ensuring that collected garbage is properly disposed of.

The monthly national cleaning day initiative, running from 7 am to 10 am on the last Saturday of each month, aims to foster a culture of civic responsibility, improve sanitation, prevent disease, and protect the environment.

Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4524/garbage-trucks-be-deployed-cleaning-days