Stakeholders unite to keep Lira City clean

Lira City, 6 November 2024 – Lira City Development Forum has partnered with Lira City Council and other stakeholders to promote cleanliness in the city. This collaborative effort was formally launched during the Keep Lira Clean, Green, and Beautiful campaign, which included a tree-planting event and a community clean-up along Obote Avenue.

John Ricky Akeny, President of the Lira City Development Forum, explained that the initiative aims to encourage active citizen participation in keeping the city clean and empowering the residents to take responsibility for their environment.

“The goal is to instill a sense of civic responsibility so that when there’s litter or waste, we can send the message that we need to be conscious of our surroundings. Cleanliness starts with the right mindset, and once we have that, it will become easier for our leaders to fulfill their duties. Ultimately, we will have a clean, green, and beautiful city,” Akeny said.

He explained that stressed that maintaining cleanliness in Lira City is a collective responsibility. “No single entity can manage this on its own. A clean city attracts investment, which can spur economic growth not just for the city but for the country as a whole,” he noted.

He further added that the city is still grappling with numerous areas of neglect, and the involvement of the City Council in this initiative is crucial. “There are many areas in the city that are still dirty, and the mayor and town clerk alone cannot manage it. That’s why we’re partnering with the city council to ensure that Lira is clean, so when investors visit, they see a city that is green, environmentally conscious, and full of responsible people,” Akeny said.

Lira City Mayor, Sam Atul appreciated groups that have joined efforts to create a cleaner and healthier environment in the city, highlighting that such a goal requires collective action.

“We are thankful that many people are coming on board because our core vision has always been to make Lira a green, clean, and smart city. Everyone loves a neat environment, but it takes responsibility. If we don’t take the initiative, no one else will. As the City Council alone, we cannot do it all,” Atul said.

He also drew attention to the growing problem of air pollution in the city. “The air we breathe in Uganda’s cities is highly polluted. This can be improved by planting more trees and taking better care of our environment,” Atul said.

Leonard Otika, Lira City’s Environment Officer, outlined several ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, including the Miss Tourism programme and other awareness campaigns.

He further explained that keeping the environment clean is essential for the city’s development as it not only attracts tourists and new residents but also promotes better health.

“We want Lira to be a model of cleanliness. We’ve had initiatives like the greening spectrum targeting schools and the Miss Tourism programme. In the next two years, I want Lira to become a tourist destination, where visitors can enjoy green open spaces and benefit from clean air, reduced carbon emissions, and climate change mitigation,” Otika said.

He also noted that more strategies will be introduced in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including a My Lira Clean Festival, which will focus on cleaning the city, tree planting, and promoting resilience.

“There will be follow-up activities, including the My Lira Clean Festival, which will involve further clean-up drives and tree planting to ensure our city remains clean and resilient. This is in line with NDP4 and SDGs, particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 13 [Climate Action],” Otika added.

Lira City Clerk Vincent Okurut praised the City Council for adopting a policy that encourages citizen participation in waste management efforts, particularly given the limited resources available for city-wide cleaning.

“One of the major challenges cities face in Uganda is waste management, and I want to thank the Lira City Council for adopting a policy that encourages citizens to take part in keeping the city clean. Lira does not have adequate resources to manage waste on its own, but the fact that residents have embraced this responsibility is commendable,” added Okurut.

Students, especially from schools, have also been instrumental in promoting environmental conservation. Melissa Gift Amongi, a Senior Three student at Hill City College and Assistant Head Girl, criticised the reckless disposal of waste, particularly plastic, and called for more action in managing waste properly.

“People are not managing their waste well. For example, when someone drinks water and drops the plastic bottle carelessly, it’s harmful to the environment. It’s time for us to take action by disposing of waste properly and having rubbish pits at home,” Amongi said.

Amongi also encouraged parents to embrace tree planting to help combat global warming. “Many of our parents are involved in activities like charcoal burning, which leads to deforestation and contributes to global warming. Deforestation releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, damaging the ozone layer. It’s crucial that our parents plant trees to counteract this,” she added.

According to the Lira City Environment Department, other stakeholders involved in maintaining cleanliness include churches, businesses, schools, and the broader community. Organisations such as Global Forum for Development [GLOFORD] and the Miss Tourism Office in Northern Uganda have also contributed to the campaign by donating tree species for planting in Lira City.

The collective efforts from all sectors reflect a shared commitment to making Lira City a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable urban space for all its residents.

https://thecooperator.news/updf-lira-city-council-to-clean-major-market-monthly/

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