KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – Local leaders in Nakasero Parish, a Kampala suburb, have called on corporate companies operating within the area to actively support the monthly National Cleaning Day exercise by mobilising their employees and providing cleaning equipment to strengthen community sanitation efforts.
The leaders say Nakasero Parish, which comprises six villages, continues to face challenges in implementing the initiative due to inadequate manpower and a shortage of essential cleaning materials, including brooms, spades, gloves and wheelbarrows.
They noted that although the parish hosts numerous corporate institutions, its population is largely made up of employees who work in the area rather than permanent residents, making corporate involvement critical to the success of the exercise.
Nalongo Irumba Loy, the Chairperson of Crested Tower Village, said encouraging companies to mobilise their employees to participate in the monthly exercise would significantly ease the burden on local leaders and residents.
She appealed to corporate institutions to look beyond their business operations and take an active role in maintaining the cleanliness of the communities in which they operate.
Washa Rose, the Chairperson of Shimoni Village, said when the National Cleaning Day initiative was introduced four months ago, the community lacked even the basic equipment required to conduct the exercise.
She also observed that participation among residents was initially low, with some waiting until the designated cleaning time had elapsed before coming out to carry out their daily activities.
However, Rose said community members have gradually embraced the initiative and are increasingly recognising the importance of keeping their surroundings clean.
The concerns were raised on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the October edition of the Government’s National Cleaning Day, which saw employees of Exim Bank Uganda join local leaders and residents in cleaning public spaces around Nakasero.
Led by the Bank’s Managing Director, Edward Kanyike, the employees participated in sweeping roads and walkways, collecting litter, clearing fallen leaves, removing weeds and tidying up the surroundings of the bank’s head office.
As part of its contribution towards sustaining the community cleaning efforts, Exim Bank Uganda also donated cleaning equipment, including wheelbarrows, brooms, gloves and spades, to the six local council areas that make up Nakasero Parish.
The donation is expected to strengthen the capacity of local leaders and residents to organise regular cleaning activities beyond the designated National Cleaning Day.
Speaking during the exercise, Kanyike said maintaining a clean environment should be embraced as a personal and collective responsibility rather than something people should be compelled by government to do.
“There is no need for government to force us to clean our communities. It is good for our health,” Kanyike said.
He emphasised that businesses have an important role to play in supporting the communities around them, adding that corporate participation in the initiative demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility and community development.
Kanyike also encouraged other companies, businesses and residents to embrace the initiative and make cleanliness part of their everyday lives.
Rose welcomed the bank’s contribution, thanking Exim Bank Uganda for responding to the community’s challenges and urging other corporate institutions operating in Nakasero to follow suit.
She said continued support from businesses would not only address the shortage of cleaning materials but also encourage more people to participate in keeping their neighbourhoods clean.
The National Cleaning Day initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve sanitation, promote responsible waste management and encourage citizens, businesses and institutions to take responsibility for their surroundings.
