news 30 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Minister Kaboyo Proposes Fines for Skipping National Cleaning Day
State Minister for Luwero-Rwenzori Affairs, Alice Kaboyo, is advocating for financial penalties for individuals and businesses that fail to participate in the mandatory monthly National Cleaning Day, aiming to bolster national hygiene standards. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-kaboyo-proposes-fines-for-skipping-national-cleaning-day-5576322
Minister of State for Luwero-Rwenzori Affairs, Alice Kaboyo, has proposed the introduction of fines for those who shirk their responsibility during the National Cleaning Day, held on the last Saturday of each month. The initiative, designed to foster a culture of cleanliness across the nation, has seen a concerningly low turnout in urban areas, with many business operators reportedly avoiding the communal exercise.
During the recent National Cleaning Day event in Luwero Town Council, Minister Kaboyo stressed that public sanitation is a collective duty extending beyond individual homes. She urged Ugandans to emulate Rwanda’s impressive cleanliness standards, a feature often admired by visitors.
To address the compliance issue, Kaboyo directed local leaders to identify non-participating business owners and collect monetary contributions. These funds would then be used by local authorities to hire alternative labor for maintaining public hygiene. While a formal fine structure is still under government review, the minister emphasized that even those unable to physically participate should contribute financially, framing the initiative as a critical national project.
However, the LCIIL Chairperson for Luwero Town Council, Paul Mukungu Ssenyonga, indicated that actual collections would be suspended pending official government guidelines. He cited persistent challenges with public mindset and discipline, noting that garbage is often discarded back onto the streets shortly after cleaning. Furthermore, Luwero Town Council faces logistical hurdles, including an aging garbage truck, a common problem nationwide.
The Resident District Commissioner for Luwero, Mariam Nalubega, highlighted the severe consequences of poor waste management, such as blocked drainage systems leading to flooding and increased mosquito breeding, which contributes to malaria. She appealed to residents to take personal responsibility for their surroundings without waiting for statutory penalties.