NATIONAL SANITATION WEEK LAUNCHED WITH COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP IN KAMWOKYA

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), on Monday launched National Sanitation Week 2026 with a community clean-up exercise in Kamwokya, calling for stronger collective action to improve hygiene and waste management across Uganda.

The launch event, held at Kamwokya Market Grounds in Central Division, brought together government leaders, local authorities, market vendors and residents under the theme “Accelerating Safely Managed Sanitation for a Healthy Uganda.”

Residents joined officials in clearing garbage from drainage channels, collecting litter from public spaces and participating in community sensitization sessions on proper waste disposal and household sanitation practices.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, the chief guest, said sanitation goes beyond physical infrastructure and is central to human dignity and public health.

“Sanitation is more than infrastructure like roads. When sanitation is compromised, people cannot live with dignity,” Buzeki said. “We are committed to ensuring that every citizen in Kampala can access safe and dignified sanitation services.”

She emphasized that public health and the growth of the city are closely linked.

“This city cannot flourish with sick people. Let us not burden our health system with diseases that we can prevent,” she said. “Cleanliness begins with our bodies, our homes and the environment around us.”

Buzeki also highlighted KCCA’s Weyonje campaign, which promotes responsible waste management and sanitation awareness across Kampala.

Through the initiative, the authority has carried weekly community clean-ups and encourages residents to practice the four Rs of waste management, reduce, refuse, recycle and reuse, while also promoting waste segregation at the household level.

She noted that although the city has expanded sanitation infrastructure, many communities remain unconnected to the sewer network.

“Many households construct their own tanks, but fecal sludge is often not properly managed,” Buzeki said, calling for increased sewer connections by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.

KCCA has also expanded access to public sanitation facilities, including public toilets at City Square and Usafi Market, while plans are underway to redevelop several markets including Kamwokya.

Speaking at the event, Silas Aogon, Member of Parliament for Kumi Municipality and chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), called for policy reforms to support waste management.

“Garbage trucks are necessary for effective waste collection. Government should consider making them tax-free to strengthen sanitation services,” Aogon said.

He also urged increased funding for urban authorities like KCCA to support waste collection, sanitation awareness and infrastructure.

“We need to make garbage management more profitable and encourage manufacturers to support recycling, especially plastic recovery,” he said.

Officials from the Ministry of Health said sanitation remains a critical public health issue in Uganda, noting that seven out of every ten hospital visits are linked to preventable diseases associated with poor hygiene and sanitation.

Local leaders welcomed the sanitation initiative and called for continued support.

Henry Mubiru Stanely, chairperson of Kamwokya Market, commended KCCA’s Weyonje campaign for improving sanitation in the area, including the construction of public toilets and community support for household sanitation facilities.

However, he raised concerns about residents who continue to dump garbage in drainage channels.

“Many people are still using drainage channels to dispose of rubbish, which affects sanitation and causes blockages,” Mubiru said.

He also appealed for a health camp to further educate the community on sanitation and hygiene practices.

Kampala Central Division Deputy Mayor Maureen Kabananura urged residents to adopt a mindset change toward cleanliness.

“Sanitation is everyone’s responsibility. Each individual must play a role in keeping themselves and the city clean,” she said.

Officials said activities throughout National Sanitation Week will include community sensitization campaigns, school outreach programs, inspections of sanitation facilities and stakeholder engagements aimed at strengthening sanitation services nationwide.

The week’s activities will culminate in National Sanitation Day celebrations scheduled for March 19 in Kabarole District, where national leaders will highlight progress and renew commitments to improving sanitation across the country.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer