Ruboni Tourism Village, the gateway to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park and one of the world's UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages, proudly joined Uganda's first and second National Cleaning Days on 25 July and 29th August 2026, demonstrating how clean communities create better destinations for both residents and visitors.
The National Cleaning Day followed the directive of the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, calling upon all Ugandans to participate in regular community cleaning to improve public health, environmental protection, and national development.
For Ruboni, however, community cleaning is more than a government directive—it is part of a long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism. Every Saturday morning, residents, tourism businesses, guides, women, youth, and local leaders voluntarily clean the village to ensure that visitors experience one of Uganda's cleanest, safest, and most welcoming tourism destinations.
Community participation more than triple the usual numbers
This first and second National Cleaning Days saw participation increase to more than threefold the usual number of volunteers. Women, men, young people, and children worked side by side to remove litter, clear drainage channels, and improve public spaces throughout the village.
“On the second cleaning day alone, the village of Nyakalengijo and Nyakabugha collective over 30 bags of non biodegradable waste materialswith an estimated weight of 1 ton:. In a distance of 4km”
If it was not for the national cleaning days, this waste would have taken a small team months to clean. this demonstrates how much waste we need to collect until we clan the environment as we focus on tackling the waste created now, to ensure it doesn’t escape on the environment, hence and urgent need for a focused action on the Triple R aproach.
The exercise was joined by the Honorable Councilor for Nyakalengijo Cell, Ibanda-Kyanya Town Council, together with staff from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and Muhindo John and Friends Company, Ibanda-Kyanya Town council. Their support included technical supervision, enforcement manpower, provision of personal protection equipment such as facemasks, rubber gloves, sanitizers, and trucks for transporting the collected waste to the dumping point.
Ruboni Tourism Village coordinated the community exercise by providing additional protective equipment, including rubber gloves, waste collection bags, cleaning tools, and other supplies. In addition, the village deployed a dedicated team of local youth that worked with the staff from the other stakeholder organizations, to ensure that all collected waste was safely transported to the community incinerator on the same day, preventing waste from finding its way back into the environment.
A Shared commitment to sustainable tourism
The day's activities concluded with a community debrief held at the entrance to Rwenzori Mountains National Park. Representatives from the local government, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Ruboni Tourism Village reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for both residents and visitors.
Community members were informed that Ruboni's weekly Saturday community cleaning programme will continue throughout the year, while the last Saturday of every month will be dedicated to participating in Uganda's National Cleaning Day alongside the wider community.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of environmental education. Ruboni Tourism Village will continue working with government agencies, tourism partners, schools, and community organizations to educate residents about proper waste management, the government's cleaning initiative, and practical approaches to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3Rs).
These efforts directly contribute to the principles of the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network, which encourages destinations to protect natural resources, preserve cultural heritage, improve community well-being, and promote sustainable tourism for future generations.
Community voices
Speaking during the exercise, community member Ms. Milenia Kabugho welcomed the government's initiative.
"The announcement of National Cleaning Day has greatly increased community participation in keeping Ruboni clean. We are very grateful. However, with the growing number of volunteers, we need more protective equipment, improved waste transportation, and a larger incinerator to manage the increased amount of waste."
Her comments reflect the community's growing commitment to environmental stewardship while highlighting the investments needed to sustain these efforts.
Priorities for the future
To strengthen community waste management, Ruboni Tourism Village proposing to:
- Increase the availability of cleaning tools and equipment.
- Provide more protective gear for volunteers.
- Improve waste transportation capacity.
- Upgrade or construct a larger, environmentally friendly waste treatment facility.
- Conduct public awareness campaigns on the National Cleaning Day initiative and environmental laws.
- Establish a Community Waste Management and Recycling Centre to train residents and visitors on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and circular economy practices.
- Promote measures that reduce use of single use plastics in the local economy
Introducing Ruboni green solutions
One of the most exciting outcomes of the National Cleaning Day has been the formation of Ruboni Green Solutions, a youth-led environmental initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable living within the village.
The group will coordinate community waste management activities, support recycling initiatives, encourage innovation around the circular economy, and champion environmental conservation through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. By creating green employment opportunities for local youth, the initiative demonstrates how tourism can generate positive social and environmental impact beyond visitor experiences.
Why sustainable travellers choose Ruboni village
Visitors may be looking for destinations that protect nature while benefiting local communities. Ruboni Tourism Village offers exactly that.
Whether you are planning to hike the legendary Rwenzori Mountains, experience authentic Bakonzo culture, enjoy locally guided village walks, taste traditional cuisine, or simply relax in breathtaking mountain scenery, you will find a destination where conservation and community go hand in hand.
A clean environment, active community participation, rich cultural heritage, spectacular landscapes, and a genuine commitment to sustainability make Ruboni one of Africa's leading community tourism destinations.
When you choose to visit Ruboni, you are not simply taking a holiday—you are supporting a community that believes responsible tourism can protect nature, empower local people, and create a better future for generations to come.