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Minister takes aim at residents who flee national cleaning exercises
Kalaki resident district commissioner Chris Mike Okirya said the President was mindful of the health of the people and that the exercise was intended to benefit local communities.
Clement Kenneth Ongalo-Obote, Minister of State for Teso Affairs, joins residents in cleaning Bululu Trading Centre in Kalaki District on September 26, 2026. (Photo by Michael Onyinge)
By: Michael Onyinge, Journalist @New Vision
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Residents of Bululu subcounty in Kalaki district have been urged to take the national cleaning exercise seriously and embrace practices that promote good health.
Speaking at the end of the third month of implementing the national cleaning exercise on Saturday (September 26), Teso affairs minister Clement Kenneth Ongalo Obote, who joined residents to clean Bululu trading centre, criticised those who locked themselves in their houses when it was time for the exercise.
He said it was unfortunate that some residents of Bululu trading centre returned to their villages after learning that the district team would join them to clean the trading centre.
At the launch of the exercise, district leaders started the national cleaning programme at Kalaki district headquarters, where they cleaned Kalaki Health Centre IV, Kalaki town council and the daily market.
During the second month, the district team joined residents of Otuboi town council, before moving to Bululu trading centre in the third month.
Ongalo said this would become the norm to ensure hygiene is taken seriously and that maintaining cleanliness should be everyone's responsibility.
Kalaki resident district commissioner Chris Mike Okirya said the President was mindful of the health of the people and that the exercise was intended to benefit local communities.
The Bululu subcounty district councillor, Tom Ochom, who is affiliated with FDC, said the Government had introduced a good practice that should be sustained and implemented firmly.
He called for the same approach to be applied to ensure that all houses within trading centres have pit latrines.
During the cleaning exercise in Bululu subcounty, the team covered Bululu Health Centre III, Bululu trading centre, and the daily and weekly markets.
During the second month, the district team joined residents of Otuboi town council, before moving to Bululu trading centre in the third month.
Ongalo said this would become the norm to ensure hygiene is taken seriously and that maintaining cleanliness should be everyone's responsibility.
Kalaki resident district commissioner Chris Mike Okirya said the President was mindful of the health of the people and that the exercise was intended to benefit local communities.
The Bululu subcounty district councillor, Tom Ochom, who is affiliated with FDC, said the Government had introduced a good practice that should be sustained and implemented firmly.
He called for the same approach to be applied to ensure that all houses within trading centres have pit latrines.
During the cleaning exercise in Bululu subcounty, the team covered Bululu Health Centre III, Bululu trading centre, and the daily and weekly markets.
It was reported that the national cleaning programme was bringing positive change to the community compared with the situation before its introduction.
Ongalo said all bidders of different weekly markets should ensure their markets are cleaned after market days end.
“It is unfortunate that market tenderers take time to clean their markets. They should be cleaning them after the market days,” Ongalo said.
Meanwhile, Sarah Awayo said the national cleaning exercise had opened the eyes of many people.
She said suspending movements of people was the best decision that the government had made.
In the subsequent months, the district team will join residents of Anyara, Kakure Apapai, Ogwolo, Otuboi and Ochelakur before moving to smaller trading centres at parish and village levels.
The district expects sub-county teams to lead their communities in the cleaning programme while district officials join them to support the practice.
Ongalo said all bidders of different weekly markets should ensure their markets are cleaned after market days end.
“It is unfortunate that market tenderers take time to clean their markets. They should be cleaning them after the market days,” Ongalo said.
Meanwhile, Sarah Awayo said the national cleaning exercise had opened the eyes of many people.
She said suspending movements of people was the best decision that the government had made.
In the subsequent months, the district team will join residents of Anyara, Kakure Apapai, Ogwolo, Otuboi and Ochelakur before moving to smaller trading centres at parish and village levels.
The district expects sub-county teams to lead their communities in the cleaning programme while district officials join them to support the practice.