Uganda Clergy, Ruling Party Officials Advocate for Persuasion in Sanitation Enforcement

Religious leaders and officials from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have called for a gentler approach to enforcing national sanitation standards. Their appeal follows the tragic death of a boda boda rider, Ronald Jjuuko Kizito, who was allegedly shot by a police officer while attempting to bypass an area designated for sanitation enforcement in Kampala.

Pastor Samuel Kajoba, President of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Uganda, emphasized that public awareness campaigns and civic engagement are more effective than coercive methods. He stated, “The government should focus on sanitisation to attract more people; we need a healthy population for Uganda’s economic development.” Pastor Kajoba believes that educating citizens on the health and environmental benefits of cleanliness will foster voluntary participation.

He also highlighted the importance of clear drainage systems to prevent flooding and reduce unnecessary medical expenses, suggesting these funds could be redirected towards development. The SDA Church, which observes its community cleaning activities on Sundays, saw thousands of its members participate nationwide this past weekend.

Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Yusufu Bukenya Luninze, Head of Community Service at SDA Najjanankumbi, urged the government to invest in public seminars and local educational campaigns to build genuine community support for sanitation efforts.

Ms. Rose Namayanja, Deputy Secretary General of the NRM, agreed that the national cleaning exercise should promote unity. “We can do it peacefully; we don’t need to be reminded. It is for the good of all of us; Ugandans should embrace it peacefully and harmoniously,” she said.

Despite these calls, challenges in waste management persist, with uncollected refuse still visible in several parts of Kampala. Residents also pointed out the need for improved logistical planning, such as ensuring sufficient waste collection trucks are available during and immediately after cleanup exercises.

The National Cleaning Day initiative aims to improve sanitation and waste management across Uganda, with designated cleaning times on the last Saturday of each month. However, Kampala alone generates about 2,500 tonnes of garbage daily, with authorities managing to collect and dispose of only half of it, highlighting the scale of the waste management challenge.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)