Long before the city awakens, Kampala’s streets come alive with quiet heroes, sanitation workers sweeping roads, clearing drainage channels, and hauling waste to keep the capital clean. On Monday, their tireless efforts were recognized as Kawempe Division was named the overall winner of the 2025 Weyonje Sanitation Challenge.

The awards and end-of-year celebration, held on December 22 at Kitante Primary School, brought together city leaders, development partners, and sanitation workers, many drawn from community SACCOs and Seven Hills. The ceremony was presided over by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki.

Kawempe Division clinched first place and received UGX 5 million, followed by Rubaga Division with UGX 4 million, Central Division UGX 3 million, Nakawa Division UGX 2 million, and Makindye Division UGX 1 million.

But the event was not just about prizes. It celebrated the often-unseen dedication of the men and women who keep the city clean.

“You are my unsung heroes,” Buzeki told sanitation workers, urging them to protect themselves while on duty. She also confirmed that payments for November and December had already been made and announced plans to expand the number of sanitation workers in the next financial year. Funds for protective personal equipment will be channeled through workers’ SACCO accounts. “For November and December, this money has already been deposited,” she added.

The Weyonje Sanitation Challenge is a citywide campaign designed to strengthen community-led waste management and encourage lasting behavior change across Kampala. In 2025, all five divisions competed in six categories: fecal sludge management, solid waste management, green space management, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) innovations, health inspection, and best video documenting achievements.

Kawempe Division won both the fecal sludge management and health inspection categories. Rubaga Division excelled in solid waste management, Central Division in green space management, Nakawa Division in WASH innovations, and Makindye Division took top honors for best video.

Implemented in partnership with Fundoo, UNICEF Uganda, and Centenary Bank, the initiative rewards divisions for maintaining cleaner, better-managed communities across the capital.

Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization Moses Byaruhanga highlighted the economic challenges faced by sanitation workers and pledged to advocate for each sanitation SACCO to receive UGX 200 million in government support. He also emphasized the need to raise the daily pay from UGX 6,000.

The ceremony combined celebration with reflection. Musical performances by Stabua Natooro energized attendees, while the closing cake-cutting marked the end of the year. Each member of the KCCA cleaning teams received a food hamper, a symbolic gesture of appreciation for their relentless efforts to keep Kampala clean.