Authorities in Kabale Municipality’s Northern Division have introduced a Shs10,000 fine for households that fail to participate in the monthly Uganda National Cleaning Day activities.
The Division LC3 chairperson, Patrick Tushabomwe, announced the measure on Wednesday during a funeral service at St James Kijuguta Church of Uganda.
The Uganda National Cleaning Day programme was launched in July by the government through the Office of the Prime Minister, with cleaning activities scheduled for the last Saturday of every month.
The programme seeks to improve sanitation and hygiene, conserve the environment and reduce the disease burden associated with poor sanitation.
Tushabomwe said the division had instructed LC1 chairpersons to ensure that every household is represented during the cleaning exercises.
“We have instructed LC1 chairpersons to ensure that at least each household is represented. Failing to do so will result in a fine of Shs10,000,” he said.
He said the fines would be enforced at village level, with LC1 chairpersons taking the lead in monitoring compliance.
CUE IN TUSHABOMWE….ON NATIONAL CLEANING….RR//
Tushabomwe also urged residents to use the cleaning days to prepare for the anticipated heavy rains, including clearing blocked drainage channels and strengthening vulnerable sections of their houses.
He said villages such as Ruhita in Kijuguta Ward and Ihimbi in Rutooma Ward have particularly poor drainage systems, putting residents at risk of flooding during heavy rains.
CUE IN TUSHABOMWE…ON RAINS…RR//
The Uganda National Cleaning Day involves a three-hour restriction on movement and commercial activities from 7am to 10am on the last Saturday of every month.
During the period, residents are expected to remain within their local areas and participate in cleaning homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces and public spaces, including drainage channels.
Police enforce restrictions on the movement of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and vessels on roads and water bodies during the exercise.
Shops, markets and other commercial establishments are also required to remain closed until 10am.
However, certain categories of people are exempted from the restrictions, including patients and medical workers on duty, emergency service providers, authorised security personnel, foreign tourists and travellers with valid travel documents, cross-border cargo drivers on designated routes, and journalists on official duty.
