Zombo: Red Cross, Alur Kingdom, Arsenal Fans Mobilise Community for Cleaning

By Mike Rwothomio

A team from the Uganda Red Cross Society Zombo Link, under the Nebbi Branch, in partnership with the Alur Kingdom, participated in the National Cleaning Day exercise on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

The initiative seeks to improve public health and environmental cleanliness while encouraging citizens to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their communities.

 The national theme for the programme is “A Clean Uganda is Everybody’s Responsibility.”

The team cleaned Paidha Health Centre III and surrounding areas as part of efforts to promote cleanliness, proper sanitation and a healthy environment in the community.

The Uganda Red Cross Society team, Alur Cultural Festival team, Arsenal football club fans and Karibuni Technical team said the initiative supports the Government of Uganda’s monthly National Cleaning Day, aimed at improving sanitation, protecting the environment and promoting a culture of cleanliness across the country.

Chief Francis Omwon Denis, Ringu Lango II of Kal Awora Chiefdom, Chief Executive Officer of the Alur Cultural Festival and representative of volunteers from the Red Cross, commended the Government of Uganda for cascading the National Cleaning Day initiative.

He said the Red Cross team and Alur Cultural Festival will continue supporting the initiative monthly to abide by the national call.

“We shall be doing this monthly to support the government initiative to make sure this country is clean,” Chief Omwon said in an interview, as he rallied members of the public to embrace the cleaning exercise at the end of every month.

Government says poor sanitation contributes to preventable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and malaria. The programme also seeks to address indiscriminate waste disposal, plastic pollution, blocked drainage channels, flooding and environmental degradation.

Erickson Kumakech, focal point person for the Uganda Red Cross Society Zombo Link under the Nebbi Branch, noted that they targeted Paidha Health Centre III and other places, urging the community not to wait only for the National Cleaning Day but to make cleaning a routine mandate to ensure their health and sanitation remain clean.

“As we inform people, we should not be waiting for government to tell us to clean our surroundings. Let’s make our place ever clean wherever we are to shield us from diseases,” Kumakech said in an interview.

During the three-hour exercise, communities participated in activities including sweeping roads and public spaces, collecting and disposing of garbage, cleaning homes and neighbourhoods, clearing drainage channels and removing plastic waste.

Community members across Zombo District turned out in large numbers to participate in the National Cleaning Day exercise, aimed at promoting good sanitation and hygiene.

A team from Karibuni Technical School, Paidha, located in Ovuru Yindi Cell and led by Evalyne Kwiocwiny, cleaned different parts of the town, rallying the public to join the cleaning efforts.

Team Topista Acamfua, led by Proscovia Ayomirwoth, successfully mobilised citizens to clean up their respective local areas.

Arsenal supporters from Paidha Town Council, led by their chairperson Alfred Susu and mobiliser Robert Orombi, took the lead in cleaning the Paidha Health Centre III mortuary and its surroundings.

The group leaders urged Arsenal fans across the region to consistently participate in future community sanitation initiatives.

The programme was approved by Cabinet in 2025 under Cabinet Minute No. 246 (CT 2025) following nearly a year of planning. It was officially launched on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Kiti Zone in Kisenyi III Parish, Kampala Central Division.

Under the programme, the last Saturday of every month has been designated National Cleaning Day. The exercise is conducted from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m

President Museveni has urged Ugandans to treat sanitation and hygiene as an investment in public health and to take personal responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.

The programme is being spearheaded by the Government of Uganda, with President Museveni as the lead champion.

The Office of the Prime Minister, under Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, is playing a key role in coordinating its implementation, alongside relevant ministries, government agencies and local authorities.

A team from Uganda Red Cross Society Zombo link cleans Paidha Health Center III on Saturday morning.

Erickson Kumakech, Red Cross Focal point person for Zombo Link

Chief Francis Omwon Denis, Ringu Lango II of Kal Awora Chiefdom, Chief Executive Officer of the Alur Cultural Festival and representative of volunteers from the Red Cross, commended the Government of Uganda for cascading the National Cleaning Day initiative.

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