KAMPALA
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has reported significant improvement in sanitation levels in Kawempe Division following sustained weekend community clean-up exercises under its “Weyonje” campaign.
Speaking during a clean-up exercise in Kazo Angola and Lugoba on Saturday, KCCA Executive Director Hajjati Sharifah Buzeki said the initiative, which has been running since February 2025, has helped transform previously littered neighbourhoods into cleaner communities.
“We have these weekly clean-ups because we want our communities to be safe and clean,” Buzeki said. “When we first came to Kawempe, there were heaps of garbage and clogged drains everywhere. Today, the situation has tremendously changed.”
She noted that improved waste management has contributed to clearer drainage systems and reduced garbage accumulation, attributing the progress to community involvement and local leadership.
Buzeki commended local leaders in Kawempe for mobilising residents and actively participating in the exercises, saying their commitment had set them apart from other areas.
“In some places, leaders do not take part, but here they have worked with us and the community. This is something to be appreciated,” she said.
The Executive Director also lauded private sector partners, particularly KFC staff, for supporting sensitisation efforts on proper waste management and cleanliness.
She warned that poor sanitation exposes communities to health risks such as cholera and other preventable diseases, adding that maintaining cleanliness reduces public health costs.
“When we don’t clean, we are inviting diseases and increasing mortality, especially among children. A clean environment saves government resources spent on treatment and ensures a productive population,” she said.
Buzeki revealed that KCCA is engaging the Ministry of Finance to secure additional funding in the next financial year to support waste management and clean-up activities.
The exercise was attended by dancehall artist Karole Kasita, real name Carol Namulindwa, who praised residents for embracing sanitation practices and urged them to sustain the momentum.
“We might not be here again anytime soon. Clean your surroundings, sort your waste and avoid littering,” she said.
The Weyonje campaign is part of KCCA’s broader strategy to build a smart and liveable city through civic engagement and public education on waste sorting and household sanitation.
Under the initiative, KCCA conducts regular community outreaches and annually recognises the best-performing divisions in solid waste management.
Authorities say the continued success of the campaign will depend on consistent community participation and enforcement of sanitation guidelines.
