In an unusual move aimed at promoting discipline and improving cleanliness in Kampala, 538 people convicted of minor offences have been ordered by court to spend one month cleaning public facilities instead of serving prison sentences. At least 150 of the offenders have already started working in different locations, including markets, schools and other public spaces across the city.
The offenders were sentenced on Monday after being held at Luzira Prison over various offences. Under the new arrangement, they will perform unpaid community work coordinated by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). Their deployment will cover all five divisions of Kampala, with each individual assigned specific cleaning and sanitation responsibilities.
The convictions involved several offences, including conducting business without valid trading licences, illegal vending, public nuisance, drunkenness and disturbing public peace. Some individuals were also convicted of fighting, smoking opium, attempting to steal from pedestrians and creating unlawful roadblocks that disrupted public movement.
Senior Magistrate Edgar Karakire of City Hall Court said the decision to impose community service was based on the nature of the crimes and the circumstances surrounding the offenders. He explained that the punishment was particularly suitable for first-time offenders who had demonstrated remorse and expressed willingness to abandon criminal behaviour. Some cases were also handled through plea-bargaining arrangements.
Each offender has been handed a one-month community service sentence, during which they must complete assigned public cleaning duties without payment. They have also received introductory letters and monitoring forms to present to KCCA officials. The authority will determine where they work, monitor their attendance and ensure that they fulfil all the requirements set by court.
Some of the offences were prosecuted under the Trading Licensing Act, Cap 79, which provides for penalties against individuals operating businesses without the necessary licences. Others involved disturbing public peace under Section 7(c) of the Kampala City Council Maintenance of Law and Order Ordinance.
Community service is an alternative to imprisonment that allows eligible convicted people to perform unpaid work that benefits the public. The approach is intended to encourage rehabilitation, promote accountability and reduce pressure 9 prisons by keeping people convicted of less serious offences out of long-term detention.
KCCA will implement the programme in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Department of Community Service. Besides ensuring that the offenders complete their sentences, the exercise is expected to improve sanitation in markets, schools and other public facilities. Authorities hope the programme will help transform the offenders while allowing communities across Kampala to benefit from their labour.
