Reflections on Mobutu's 'Zegebe Tax' and Uganda's National Cleaning Day

The concept of mandatory national service, particularly for community cleaning, often brings to mind historical examples. In Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), citizens experienced a form of civic engagement that, while having its peculiar aspects, was deeply integrated into the social fabric. The author recalls participating in ‘Salongo’ activities, which were voluntary in both Zaire and Rwanda.

Mobutu’s Zaire implemented various taxes, including the infamous ‘Tax de Ze-gebe,’ levied on unmarried women of marriageable age, who were also required to possess medical certificates attesting to their health status. While the necessity and ethics of such a tax are debatable, it reflects a certain level of state-driven social organization. The term ‘Zegebe’ itself, varying in meaning across linguistic groups, points to the cultural nuances of the time.

Similarly, Rwanda has its ‘Umuganda,’ a voluntary community service day. The author notes that while Rwanda adopted this practice and integrated it successfully through ‘soft power,’ the current implementation in Uganda, termed ‘National Cleaning Day,’ appears to be facing challenges due to its mandatory nature. The recent incident where a young man was allegedly shot by police for evading the cleaning exercise highlights the potential pitfalls of enforcing voluntary activities.

The author suggests that for initiatives like National Cleaning Day to truly succeed and foster genuine community ownership, they should ideally be voluntary and locally embraced, rather than imposed through coercion. This approach, reminiscent of the voluntary ‘Salongo’ in parts of Uganda and the ‘Umuganda’ in Rwanda, could cultivate a stronger sense of civic responsibility.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/on-mobutu-s-zegebe-tax-national-cleaning-day-5584370