The Uganda Police Force has issued a detailed clarification on the movement restrictions that will accompany the National Cleaning Day exercise on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
This outlines the categories of people and vehicles that will be allowed to move during the three-hour restricted period.
It comes after Police earlier announced that movement would be restricted to facilitate public participation in the nationwide cleaning exercise, which is intended to mobilise communities to clean and improve their surroundings.
According to a press release issued by Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke on August 28, 2026, the restricted period will run from 7:00am to 10:00am.
During this period, Police said movement will not be completely halted, but will be limited to people whose travel is considered necessary for medical, security, diplomatic, professional, tourism and other essential purposes.
Kituuma has appealed to the public to participate in the cleaning exercise and play their part in keeping their neighbourhoods clean, safe and healthy.
Among those permitted to move will be people seeking medical services and patients travelling for scheduled medical treatment. Police said such patients should carry relevant medical documentation to demonstrate that they are travelling for medical purposes.
Emergency-service vehicles will also be permitted to operate during the restricted period. Medical personnel who are on duty have equally been exempted, although Police said they must carry valid identification.
The exemptions are intended to ensure that the movement restrictions do not disrupt access to healthcare or interfere with the provision of emergency and medical services.
Security personnel will also be permitted to move during the restricted hours. The exemption extends to private security personnel on duty, allowing security guards travelling for official assignments to continue with their work.
This means that security operations will continue despite the restrictions, particularly where personnel are required to report for duty or respond to security-related matters.
People travelling abroad or returning from airports and other international travel terminals have also been exempted.Police said such travellers should carry valid travel documents or other evidence of travel to verify the purpose of their movement.
Cross-border vehicular traffic will similarly be allowed to continue, but only through designated major transport corridors. The arrangement is intended to ensure that the cleaning exercise does not unnecessarily disrupt international travel and essential cross-border movement.
The Police Force has also exempted journalists on duty from the movement restrictions. The provision allows journalists travelling to cover news assignments during the restricted period to move as part of their professional duties.
However, the exemption specifically applies to journalists on duty, rather than all media personnel generally.
Diplomatic personnel have also been included among those allowed to move. The exemption covers heads of diplomatic missions and members of diplomatic staff travelling in officially identified diplomatic vehicles.
Police said diplomats who are not travelling in such vehicles should nevertheless be able to verify their diplomatic status if required.
Staff working for United Nations agencies and international organisations have also been exempted from the restrictions.Tourists have been included among the exempted categories, with Police saying they should have appropriate travel or accommodation documentation where necessary.
The provision is particularly important for visitors whose movements may involve hotels, tourist attractions, airports and other destinations during the restricted hours.
While issuing the clarification, Police also warned members of the public against confronting officers enforcing the movement restrictions.
He strongly advised the public to cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the directive and avoid confrontations, arguments or any form of altercation.
Police said anyone who believes they qualify for an exemption but is uncertain about the requirements should seek guidance from the nearest police officer or supervisor on duty.
This,Kituuma said, will help resolve concerns at the point of enforcement without unnecessary conflict.
Those with essential and officially recognised reasons to travel will be allowed to do so, provided they meet the documentation or identification requirements applicable to their category.
The directive takes effect on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 7:00am to 10:00am.
