On November 1, 2026, Uganda's Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, led residents of Jinja City in a National Cleaning Exercise. The event aimed to promote a culture of cleanliness and encourage communities to take responsibility for maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation. The exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) fraternity, which has committed to dedicating the last Sunday of every month to the National Cleaning Exercise.
Minister Babalanda conveyed greetings from President Gen. (Rtd.) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, and other government officials. She commended the President and Cabinet for gazetting the National Cleaning Day, highlighting its importance in protecting public health and improving community well-being. The Minister emphasized that maintaining cleanliness should be a daily responsibility, not just an occasional activity.
During the exercise, participants traversed several streets in Jinja City, including Alidina Road, Kutch Road East, and Sikindia Road, before proceeding to Jinja Central Market. Minister Babalanda urged residents to cultivate a lasting culture of cleanliness, ensuring their homes, workplaces, and public spaces remain clean and hygienic. She noted that poor sanitation exposes communities to preventable diseases and increases household medical expenses.
In a related intervention, Minister Babalanda tasked the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Jinja City and other concerned authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the absence of a designated dumping site. She emphasized the need for sustainable solutions for proper waste disposal and management in the city. The Minister's directive aims to address waste management challenges and ensure a clean environment.
Minister Babalanda visited Nalufenya Children’s Hospital to assess hygiene standards and healthcare services. She expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback from patients and the public regarding the services offered by medical personnel. The Minister commended healthcare workers for their dedication and commitment to providing free medical services, recognizing their contribution to improving access to healthcare.
The Minister pledged to present the concerns raised by the hospital’s management and medical personnel to the Ministry of Health for consideration and possible intervention. She emphasized the importance of addressing challenges facing healthcare facilities to enable medical personnel to deliver services effectively. Minister Babalanda appreciated the SDA fraternity for participating in the National Cleaning Exercise and recognized the support of Jinja City’s security team and other stakeholders.
The National Cleaning Exercise is part of broader efforts to promote environmental cleanliness, improve sanitation standards, and encourage citizens to take collective responsibility for maintaining healthy communities. Minister Babalanda called upon all Ugandans to make cleanliness an integral part of their daily routines, noting that a clean environment contributes to disease prevention and public health protection.
Key points
- Minister Babalanda leads National Cleaning Exercise in Jinja City to promote cleanliness and proper hygiene.
- The exercise aims to encourage communities to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and proper sanitation.
- Minister Babalanda tasks authorities to address waste management challenges in Jinja City.
