By Brian Atuhura

Residents of Kijunjubwa Town Council in Masindi District have been urged to make cleanliness a daily responsibility instead of waiting for designated national cleaning days.

The call was made by the Buruli County Member of Parliament,Hon.Aled Ronald Akugizibwe,while leading district leaders and residents in launching the third National Cleaning Exercise in Kijunjubwa Town Council on Saturday.

Aled said maintaining clean surroundings should be a routine for every household and business rather than an activity undertaken only during government-organised cleaning exercises.

"Residents should not always wait for national cleaning days.We should make cleaning our surroundings a routine so that we can prevent diseases associated with poor sanitation and hygiene,"he said.

He urged residents to regularly clean their homes,business premises,roadsides,drainage channels and other public spaces,while also calling for collective efforts to protect the environment.

As part of the environmental conservation campaign,Aled donated 150 tree seedlings for planting in Kijunjubwa Town Council.

He said tree planting was particularly important in the area because of its location within the cattle corridor,where environmental degradation and loss of vegetation could affect the ecosystem and community livelihoods.

The exercise brought together Masindi District leaders,local authorities,residents and other stakeholders to promote sanitation,hygiene and environmental conservation.

Masindi District Chairperson Patrick Wobusobozi said good sanitation was essential for preventing diseases and reducing the financial burden on households and government caused by preventable illnesses.

"If our environments are kept clean and residents live healthy lives,the government will spend less money on medicines and treatment for diseases caused by unhygienic people and environments,"Wobusobozi said.

Wobusobozi said communities previously embraced sanitation exercises by voluntarily coming together to clean their surroundings and protect water sources.

He said government had revived the practice through the National Cleaning Exercise,which is expected to take place every last Saturday of the month.

The District Chairperson urged residents to maintain the spirit of cleanliness beyond the official cleaning days.

Kijunjubwa Town Council LCIII Chairperson Jasi Yahaya commended district leaders,local authorities and residents for supporting the national cleaning initiative.

Yahaya said sustainable sanitation could not be achieved through government efforts alone,but required active participation by households and the wider community.

The launch served as a reminder that maintaining clean,healthy and environmentally sustainable communities is a shared responsibility that should extend beyond designated national cleaning days.