No Business in Paidha on Saturday Ahead of National Cleaning Day – Police Issue Guidelines

By Mike Rwothomio

The Zombo District Police Commander, SP Job Mutegeki, has issued strict guidelines for the observance of Uganda’s National Cleaning Day on Saturday, 25 July 2026. 

The exercise will halt activities for nearly three hours in Paidha Town Council, including at the busy Paidha Central Market, which attracts thousands of traders and shoppers every Saturday.

Paidha Central Market, one of the oldest markets in the region, holds its main market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The market draws traders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as other parts of the West Nile sub-region and Northern Uganda, making the temporary suspension of activities likely to affect a large number of people.

Uganda’s National Cleaning Day will be officially launched on Saturday, 25 July 2026. The launch will be officiated by Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at Kiti Zone, Kisenyi III Parish, Kampala Central Division.

The day, observed on the last Saturday of every month, requires Ugandans to dedicate three hours to cleaning their homes, workplaces, markets, schools, health facilities, roads, and public spaces.

SP Mutegeki, while addressing journalists in his office on Friday, said police headquarters had alerted them that the country will conduct National Cleaning Day on Saturday, 25 July 2026.

For Zombo District, he said the activity will be conducted in Paidha Town Council, the district’s major business hub.

“After midnight, there will be no any movement into and outside the district of Zombo and all the people will be expected to do the general cleaning within the town and also other homes around,” SP Mutegeki stated.

He added that there will be no Boda Boda business and transport operations, with the exception of ambulances. 

All those in market business will not be able to execute their businesses from 5am to 10am on Saturday.

The District Police Commander called for full compliance, saying security agencies have been tasked to ensure “all roads are blocked” so that everyone participates in the nationwide activity.

SP Mutegeki apologised for any inconvenience that will be caused and urged the public to follow the guidelines, noting that it is a nationwide exercise.

Accordingly, Police, UPDF and other security agencies will ensure that everyone participates. All businesses will remain closed for the three cleaning hours countrywide.

No vehicles will be allowed to travel during the period from 7am to 10am except for essential services like ambulances, fire brigade and rescue. 

All leaders at all levels must coordinate this event. 

All religions must be part of the cleaning day. 

There will be a lockdown for the three hours of cleaning.

According to a Uganda Police Force statement issued on Friday afternoon, all vehicles, vessels, motorcycles, and bicycles shall not be allowed on the roads and water bodies except in emergency situations.

The National Cleaning Day was approved by Cabinet in 2025 as a nationwide sanitation and public health programme.

SP Job Mutegeki issues the guidelines

Paidha Central Police Station

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub for African news trends and updates.