Security agencies dominate National Cleaning Day in Masindi as residents stay indoors
“The community members have not participated in the exercise yet they are the ones who litter the environment,” Nyangoma said.
Masindi: Security agencies dominated the National Cleaning Day exercise in Masindi Municipality on Saturday after many residents failed to turn up, with some reportedly remaining indoors as the streets were cleaned by men and women in uniform.
The exercise, which started early in the morning, brought together personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda Prisons Service (UPS).
By 7:30am, security personnel were already cleaning streets, markets, corridors and roads in Kijura Trading Centre, Masindi town and Kirasa.
However, the turnout from the local community was reportedly low, with some residents allegedly locking their doors and gates and leaving the exercise largely to the security agencies.
Lt. Col. Baraam Ainomugisha, the Artillery Division Administration Officer, said the UPDF deployed its personnel in three teams to participate in the exercise.
“As the UPDF, we have come out in big numbers. We have subdivided our team into three sections. The first team has remained to clean in the barracks, the second team has gone to Kabango Trading Centre, while the third team was dispatched to Kirasa and Kijura,” Ainomugisha said.
He regretted the low community participation, saying the security agencies had turned up to support residents in keeping the town clean.
“Though the community has not embraced the exercise, as UPDF we have come to give a hand to the community in cleaning the town. Unfortunately, the community members have not come out to embrace the exercise,” he said.
Damalie Nachuha, the Albertine North Regional Police Commander, said police had mobilised officers for the exercise but were disappointed by the response from some residents.
“Some community members have let us down by locking themselves in houses,” Nachuha said.
She attributed the poor participation partly to inadequate sensitisation about the importance of maintaining a clean environment and urged residents to participate in the next National Cleaning Day scheduled for September.
Issa Balinda Umar, the LC3 Chairperson for Central Division, applauded the government for introducing the National Cleaning Day, saying it had contributed to improved hygiene in the division.
However, he criticised residents who failed to participate.
“Cleaning our surroundings is a responsibility of citizens. People should not hide in their houses when there is an exercise meant to improve the cleanliness of their community,” Balinda said.
Fatumah Nyangoma, a Municipal Council representative for Bigando Ward, commended the security agencies for their participation but criticised residents for failing to join the exercise.
“The community members have not participated in the exercise yet they are the ones who litter the environment,” Nyangoma said.
She urged residents to turn up in large numbers during the next cleaning exercise, saying failure to participate gives the community a bad public image.
Hamza Kabaka, the LC1 Chairperson of Kirasa 3 Cell, also appealed to residents to embrace such community activities.
He warned that living in a dirty environment exposes residents to the risk of contracting diseases.
Ismail Kakooza, the LC1 Chairperson of Kirasa 1 Cell, commended the security agencies for cleaning the area and challenged residents to emulate them.
The National Cleaning Day is intended to promote community participation in environmental cleanliness, improve sanitation and encourage citizens to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
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