The Uganda Bikers Association (UBA), in partnership with civic-minded organizations and Soroti City authorities, has called on residents to take greater responsibility for both personal and public hygiene. This call came as part of the Yonja Campaign, a national civic clean-up initiative, which rolled into Soroti from April 25 to 27, 2025, with a resounding message: cleanliness begins with each individual and must be embraced as a way of life.
The three-day campaign brought together motorbike riders from across the country, civic leaders, students, local businesses, and city dwellers in a collective effort to restore Soroti’s reputation for cleanliness and to promote behavioural change around sanitation and hygiene.
Bikers Lead by Example
With engines roaring and brooms in hand, members of the Uganda Bikers Association took to Soroti’s streets, markets, and public areas alongside hundreds of local volunteers. Their mission was to clean up, raise awareness, and lead by example.
“Cleanliness starts with the individual,” said Angela Semukutu, Chairperson of the Uganda Bikers Association. “Soroti was once the cleanest city in Uganda. This campaign is about restoring that status, but more importantly, about inspiring citizens to take daily responsibility for their environment.”
Changing Mindsets, Not Just Spaces
The heart of the Yonja Campaign is not only about tidying public areas but shifting public consciousness. Through radio talk shows, community dialogues, school engagements, and video interviews, the campaign emphasized the links between personal hygiene, public health, and urban development.
“We’re not just cleaning for the sake of it,” said Mathias Kamugasho, Yonja Campaign Coordinator. “We want Ugandans to understand that a clean city begins with clean habits at a personal level.”
Backed by a Strong Coalition of Committed Partners
The success of the Yonja Campaign in Soroti was made possible through the unwavering support of a diverse and committed coalition of institutional and corporate partners. Each partner played a crucial role in reinforcing the campaign’s core message of environmental responsibility, community action, and civic pride.
Among the key partners were Nile Breweries, Service Cops/Schoolpay, Crown Beverages, CEO East Africa Magazine, Voice of Teso, Asante Waste Management, Radio Pacis, MOGAS, TT Drags and Drifts (Subaru Racing Association), and Bizaphrike. The campaign also received substantial support from Soroti City Authorities, including the Office of the Mayor and the Soroti City Council.
These partners contributed in various capacities, ranging from logistical support and on-ground mobilisation to media amplification, resource provision, and public awareness creation. Their collective effort was instrumental in ensuring the campaign’s broad visibility, smooth execution, and overall impact.
“We support this initiative because a clean environment is the foundation of a healthy society,” said Anthony Jameson Orisa, Local Area Representative at Nile Breweries, one of the lead sponsors of the campaign.
Rodney Akongel Mukula, Chief Executive Officer of Asante Waste Management, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Soroti was once a benchmark for cleanliness. This campaign has reminded us that we can still lead by example.”
Together, these partnerships demonstrated the power of cross-sector collaboration in driving sustainable, citizen-led transformation across Uganda.
A Cleaner Future Starts Now
To ensure sustainability, a monthly city clean-up day was declared by local leaders and partners. Starting in May 2025, residents of Soroti will be invited to come together every last Saturday of the month to clean designated areas—building on the momentum sparked by Yonja.
The Uganda Bikers Association, meanwhile, is preparing for the campaign’s next stops in Hoima and Gulu, continuing its journey of civic transformation across Uganda. “Yonja is more than a campaign—it’s a civic culture we’re trying to build,” said Semukutu. “We ride to remind Ugandans that dignity and development start