Kasese District has joined the rest of the country in observing the nationwide monthly general clean-up exercise following a government directive aimed at promoting sanitation, public health and environmental conservation. Residents, leaders, institutions and security personnel participated in the exercise as the district reaffirmed its commitment to creating a cleaner and healthier environment.

Kasese District today joined the nationwide monthly general clean-up exercise, with residents, political leaders, religious leaders, security personnel, institutions and other stakeholders turning up in large numbers to clean streets, markets, schools, health facilities and other public spaces.

The government directive requires all Ugandans to dedicate the last Saturday of every month, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., to cleaning their homes, workplaces and surrounding communities.

The exercise in Kasese Municipality registered overwhelming public participation. During the three-hour exercise, movement of boda bodas, private vehicles and other transport was suspended, while shops, businesses, the main market and several institutions remained closed to allow residents to participate.

Leaders described the initiative as a major step towards improving sanitation, preventing disease outbreaks and making Uganda more attractive to tourists and investors.

A local tour guide, William Bwambale, said a cleaner environment will improve Kasese's image as a tourism destination and enhance visitors' experiences.

Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Baleke said cleanliness is everyone's responsibility and commended residents for embracing the initiative, noting that community clean-up activities also promote unity.

Resident District Commissioner Joe Walusimbi said security personnel chose to lead by example rather than simply enforce the directive. He thanked residents, especially boda boda operators, for complying with the temporary movement restrictions and actively participating in the exercise.

At Kasese Community Hospital, Dr Olivia Tumukunde said the clean-up exercise exposed large amounts of improperly disposed waste, including polythene bags, plastic bottles and containers, warning that poor sanitation increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

Garbage collection contractor Nelson Baluku welcomed the increased public participation and appealed to the government to sustain the monthly campaign to strengthen community involvement in waste management.

Several institutions, including Mount St. Mary's School of Health Sciences and King's Primary School, also participated, with students and staff joining residents in cleaning their surroundings.

The monthly general clean-up exercise is expected to improve sanitation, reduce the spread of preventable diseases, protect the environment and strengthen Kasese District's ambition of becoming a city while enhancing its appeal to residents, investors and tourists.