By Engr. Maker Mangol Acien Yuol
The streets of Juba City are full of garbage and rubbish. Whenever I take a walk to Gudele, Newsite, Custom, Juba Town, Gumboo, Jebel, etc., I feel bad seeing rubbish littering the streets. The waste, such as empty containers of water, soda, etc., are being thrown everywhere by the citizens, and this is due to a lack of awareness.
Hon. Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko Baime, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, led a general cleaning campaign within the Ministry of Health premises on the 9th of January 2026. He described the general cleaning campaign as a measure for disease prevention by keeping our environment and surroundings always clean because the transmission of malaria and other diseases comes through a dirty environment.
This initiative started by the Ministry of Health is commendable, though it would be more important to reach out beyond the Ministry and take this cleaning campaign across the country, giving awareness and teaching people to keep the environment clean. This is a big project that can be extended to organizations concerned with the environment and health, and they will be able to fund this project and employ many employees to keep the environment clean.
The Juba City Council has failed to keep the city clean, as I have been observing. There are no dustbins on the streets, and the few cleaners have abandoned their jobs because of non-payment of salaries and arrears. The Juba City Council is only seen collecting resources from the business communities and during events or occasions; then the Council arranges the few cleaners to clean some main streets just to represent the other dirty areas within the city.
This situation not only affects the aesthetic appeal of the city but also poses significant health risks to its residents. The accumulation of waste can lead to the spread of diseases and create an environment that is detrimental to the well-being of the community.
Efforts to address this issue are crucial and require the collaboration of authorities, community members, business people, and environmental organizations to implement effective waste management strategies. Increasing public awareness about the importance of cleanliness and encouraging responsible disposal practices are essential steps toward transforming Juba City into a cleaner and healthier place for everyone.
Education and community engagement play vital roles in fostering a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility. The Ministry of Health, any government institutions concerned, and organizations can organize workshops and events to educate citizens about the impact of waste on health and the environment.
By instilling a sense of ownership and accountability, residents can become active participants in maintaining clean public spaces.
Moreover, the government can invest in infrastructure that supports efficient waste collection and recycling processes. Providing adequate bins and regular waste collection services can significantly reduce littering.
Introducing incentives for recycling and sustainable practices can motivate individuals and businesses to contribute positively to the city’s cleanliness.
As these initiatives take root, Juba City can move towards becoming a model of environmental stewardship, benefiting both its inhabitants and the broader ecosystem.