Uganda’s first nationwide National Cleaning Day has sparked controversy after a video appeared to show a police officer striking a man during enforcement of the exercise on Saturday morning.
The incident, which quickly spread across social media, occurred as authorities rolled out the new monthly sanitation program aimed at improving public health, environmental cleanliness and civic responsibility. The initiative, inspired by Rwanda’s Umuganda community service model, requires citizens to participate in cleaning activities on the last Saturday of every month from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Ahead of the launch, Ugandan police announced nationwide movement restrictions during the three-hour exercise, exempting only emergency services, medical personnel, security agencies and a limited number of essential travellers. Officers were tasked with ensuring compliance across the country.
However, the viral footage showing an officer hitting a civilian has overshadowed much of the day’s activities. Opposition leader Bobi Wine criticized the incident, describing it as an example of unnecessary force and arguing that civic programs should encourage voluntary participation rather than intimidation. Supporters of the government, on the other hand, defended the broader sanitation initiative, saying isolated incidents should not undermine efforts to improve public hygiene.
Despite the controversy, reports from Kampala, Lira and several other towns indicated that many communities turned out to clean streets, drainage channels and public spaces as planned. Government officials said the monthly exercise is intended to foster a stronger sense of shared responsibility while tackling poor waste management and sanitation-related diseases.
The incident has nevertheless reignited debate over policing methods in Uganda, with many social media users questioning whether enforcement of public policies should involve physical force. Others called for authorities to investigate the officer’s conduct while maintaining support for the National Cleaning Day program itself.
As the government prepares for future editions of the initiative, attention is likely to remain focused not only on public participation but also on how law enforcement officers carry out their duties during the monthly exercise.
