TAKEAWAYS

• Minister Margaret Muhanga slammed the rise of “slay queens and kings” while calling for student participation in national cleaning.
• Muhanga proposed that school and university students clean public roads and communities instead of staying on campus.
• Some critics and parents pushed back against the plan, questioning why children should perform tasks seen as manual labor.

The Minister of State for Lands, Housing and Urban Development in charge of Development, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, has called on schools across the country to ensure that all students participate in the National Cleaning Day initiative, saying it is important to teach young people the value of keeping their environment clean.

She expressed concern that society is becoming too proud of raising what she described as “slay queens and kings” instead of instilling practical responsibilities in young people.

“One of these days, I told cabinet that let this initiative begin from schools because we are raising slay queens and kings and we are so proud of it,” she said.

Muhanga proposed that university students, high school students and other learners in boarding schools should participate in cleaning activities beyond their school compounds by taking to the roads and cleaning their surrounding communities.

She revealed that the suggestion was met with criticism from some people who questioned why students should be involved in such activities.

“Many people said whose children are you taking to the road to clean?” she said, adding that some viewed cleaning as work meant for other people.

She further noted that even some parents have a problem with the idea, arguing that maintaining a clean environment should not be left to particular individuals or groups.

Muhanga urged Ugandans to stop shifting blame and instead take collective responsibility for their surroundings.

“Stop the blame game. We are all responsible for our environment,” she said.