Kotido, Uganda: Over 300 residents turned up Saturday morning for a large-scale community clean-up exercise spearheaded by Eko FM 91.2, in a show of collective action aimed at improving sanitation and public health across Kotido Municipality.
The early morning campaign drew participation from traders, boda boda riders, youth volunteers, municipal leaders, and humanitarian groups, who jointly cleaned key public spaces including the central market, bus park, main streets, and major drainage channels.
Armed with gloves, spades, and sacks, participants removed heaps of garbage and unblocked drainage systems that had long contributed to poor sanitation and flooding in busy commercial zones.
Communities from Lokore Narikapet Ward, Nakapelimoru, Patongor, Kanair, and Kanawat were actively involved, reflecting widespread mobilisation and ownership of the initiative.
Health stakeholders welcomed the exercise, noting that improved sanitation plays a critical role in preventing waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, while also reducing mosquito breeding in stagnant water, key in the fight against malaria.
Speaking during the activity, Eko FM Station Manager Adingdong Steven Oketch said the clean-up is part of a broader effort to drive community-led development.
“We are advocating for sanitation and unity. Community development requires everyone to work together,” Oketch said, revealing that at least 40 participants came from Lokore Narikapet Ward alone.
He emphasized that the initiative will not be a one-off event but part of a sustained outreach programme across the station’s broadcast areas.
Eko FM Programs Director Lydia Wealth Apolot described the exercise as a powerful demonstration of volunteerism and civic responsibility.
“When we have a clean environment, we have peace. This is about development driven by the people themselves,” she said.
Traders and transport operators said the exercise had immediate benefits. Boda boda representatives, including Samuel Obutu, noted improved order and hygiene in transport areas, while market vendors reported a more welcoming business environment.
“The market is now cleaner and customers feel more comfortable coming here,” said Sherline, a trader at Kotido central market.
By midday, several drainage channels had been fully cleared, restoring proper water flow in critical parts of the municipality and reducing the risk of flooding during rains.
Kotido Municipal authorities supported the initiative with tools and logistical assistance, while police ensured safety and coordination throughout the exercise.
Beyond sanitation, Eko FM announced plans to extend its community engagement. On April 28, the station will conduct a hospital outreach at Kotido General Hospital, donating essential items and offering psychosocial support to patients.
Oketch said the radio station aims to bridge the gap between communities and social services through such interventions.
The clean-up drive reinforced a growing message in Kotido: that sustainable development begins with collective responsibility, and that simple community actions can deliver immediate, visible impact on public health, dignity, and economic activity.
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