National Cleaning Days: NEMA Calls for Collective Action to Safeguard Environment
Launched by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Local Government, the NCDs are designed to improve public health, strengthen environmental stewardship, promote social inclusion, and boost productivity. The exercise will take place on the last Saturday of every month, following a Cabinet directive requiring all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Governments to incorporate NCDs into their plans and budgets.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has thrown its weight behind the newly launched National Cleaning Days (NCDs), urging Ugandans across the country to actively participate in this nationwide environmental initiative.
Launched by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Local Government, the NCDs are designed to improve public health, strengthen environmental stewardship, promote social inclusion, and boost productivity. The exercise will take place on the last Saturday of every month, following a Cabinet directive requiring all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Governments to incorporate NCDs into their plans and budgets.
NEMA’s Commitment to the Initiative
Speaking on the programme, NEMA’s Executive Director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, emphasized the importance of Ugandans taking collective responsibility for their environment. He noted that the cleaning days directly support the Authority’s mandate of ensuring a clean, healthy, and productive environment, particularly in areas such as waste management, sanitation, water safety, and hygiene promotion.
NEMA pledged to work closely with Local Governments, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Development Partners, and communities to ensure the initiative’s success. Dr. Akankwasah also highlighted that the NCDs align seamlessly with the ongoing Yonja Uganda campaign, which has already reached districts including Kalungu, Masaka, Namawojjolo, Mbale, and Tororo.
Through Yonja Uganda, NEMA has mobilized citizens to tackle litter and waste problems, encouraged waste sorting, reduced plastic use, promoted public participation in cleaning exercises, and enforced the “polluter pays” principle through legal provisions and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Contribution to National Development Goals
Dr. Akankwasah further underscored that the NCDs will advance outcomes under Pillar 4 of the Parish Development Model, which focuses on improving quality of life, increasing life expectancy, and reducing health expenditures caused by poor sanitation and environmental degradation.
“National Cleaning Days are not just about cleaning up our surroundings; they are about safeguarding public health, building resilience, and fostering national productivity,” he said in a message to staff.
Wider Benefits of National Cleaning Days
According to NEMA, the monthly exercise will deliver multiple benefits for communities and the nation at large:
Waste Reduction: Minimizing waste accumulation and promoting segregation, recycling, and safe disposal.
Disaster Mitigation: Unclogging drainage systems to curb flooding and associated risks.
Environmental Protection: Preserving wetlands, water sources, and soils while reducing plastic pollution.
Biodiversity Support: Creating healthier ecosystems that sustain agriculture and wildlife.
Climate Resilience: Strengthening Uganda’s ability to withstand climate-related challenges.
Community Wellbeing: Enhancing cleanliness, hygiene, and safety in urban and rural settlements.
NEMA has called upon all Ugandans to embrace the spirit of the National Cleaning Days, stressing that success depends on collective action. The Authority views the initiative as a transformative programme that will leave a lasting impact on environmental sustainability, public health, and national productivity.
As the country prepares for the first monthly exercise, NEMA’s message is clear: a cleaner Uganda is a healthier and more prosperous Uganda.
