Corporate companies in Uganda have been urged to support the National Cleaning Day initiative by providing equipment and mobilising employees to participate in regular community cleaning activities.
The call was made by officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Jubilee Insurance Uganda during a joint cleaning exercise in the city centre.
Officials said greater private sector involvement could help turn the monthly exercise into a national culture of cleanliness while reducing preventable diseases.
Jubilee Insurance employees joined KCCA officials to clean several streets in central Kampala. The exercise started at the company’s head offices on Kimathi Avenue before moving to Parliament Avenue, Kampala Road, Nasser Road, Rosebury and Dastur Street.
Jubilee Insurance Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Eugine Mutekhele, said corporates have a responsibility to support environmental conservation and public health, noting that many Ugandans are willing to participate but lack basic tools.
“We are going to reach out to other corporations to join in supporting the initiative because we know there are many people out there who would wish to take part but do not have tools like brushes, spades and gloves,” Mutekhele said.
“If these corporate companies come together, we make a difference.”
He said maintaining a clean environment should become part of everyday life, not just an activity for designated cleaning days.
“We hope that we can develop a mindset change where cleaning becomes part of our lifestyle,” he said.
Mutekhele warned that poor waste disposal and blocked drainage channels expose residents to flooding and disease.
“Without regular cleaning, floods will clog our channels and diseases will follow like malaria, typhoid, cholera and others, which disproportionately affect poor people more,” he said.
He said Jubilee’s involvement reflects its commitment to disease prevention. “Although we are in the business of health, we believe that preventive care is better than curative,” he said.
Shaherose Jamal, Director of Jubilee Life and Health Insurance, also appealed to corporate organisations to support the initiative. She welcomed the government’s decision to designate one Saturday every month for community cleaning.
“This is what good and responsible citizenship is about. This is a good initiative that the President set aside one Saturday in a month for cleaning. We hope that more corporate companies will come on board to broaden this initiative and make it regular,” Jamal said.
She said Jubilee had already engaged Kampala Central Mayor Salim Uhuru and Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda, who pledged support, adding that the company intends to expand its partnership with KCCA.
KCCA officials welcomed the support, acknowledging that the initiative has yet to attract widespread participation.
“The government set aside this initiative, but since it is new, it has not picked up well and that is why we are grateful for partners like Jubilee who are coming on board to energise this initiative,” said Eliazar Balwaine, Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration at KCCA Kampala Central.
“We have communities who are ready to take part but do not have what to use,” he said, adding that Jubilee representatives would be invited to the next council meeting to discuss further cooperation.
Sheila Komugisha, KCCA Woman Councillor representing Kamwokya and Kololo, said poor sanitation continues to expose residents to preventable illnesses.
“Many of our people are falling sick with preventable diseases simply because they are not taking good care of their environment,” Komugisha said.
At the end of the exercise, Jubilee Insurance donated the equipment used during the clean-up to KCCA to support future operations.