Kawempe North MP Nalukoola Picks Up Litter from Road, Earns Praise for Civic Act

Kawempe North Member of Parliament Hon. Ssemujju Nganda Nalukoola has been widely praised after a short video from early Friday showed him personally picking up litter thrown onto the road and returning it to the driver of a white SUV.

In the 76-second clip filmed by a passerby, Nalukoola is seen walking along a Kampala road at dusk, illuminated by glowing red taillights. He bends down, collects the discarded item—reportedly a plastic bottle or food wrapper—then approaches the white SUV, opens the driver’s window and calmly hands the litter back inside. The motorist accepts it without visible protest before driving off.

The footage, shared widely on social media and WhatsApp groups over the weekend, has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Many Kenyans described the moment as refreshing and exemplary leadership in a city where roadside littering remains a chronic problem that clogs drainage channels and worsens flooding during rainy seasons.

Journalist Sudhir Byaruhanga was among the first public figures to commend the MP. “This is honourable,” Sudhir posted on X. “Instead of just complaining about litterbugs, Nalukoola did something about it. More leaders should shame those who throw trash on our roads by handing it back to them.”

Numerous users shared similar sentiments, with several admitting they had wanted to confront litterers in the past but hesitated. “I’ve seen people throw bottles out of cars so many times and I just keep quiet,” one commenter wrote. “Nalukoola did what most of us wish we had the courage to do. Respect.”

Others praised the MP’s calm approach. “He didn’t shout, didn’t cause a scene—just picked it up and returned it like a parent correcting a child,” another user noted. “That’s real leadership. No drama, just action.”

The incident has reignited debate about personal responsibility in keeping Kampala clean. City authorities have repeatedly launched anti-litter campaigns and imposed fines, yet enforcement remains inconsistent. Blocked drains caused by plastic waste have been blamed for severe flooding in low-lying areas during heavy rains, leading to property damage, displacement and health risks from stagnant water.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) spokesperson Daniel Okello welcomed the MP’s gesture. “When leaders model good behaviour, it sends a powerful message,” Okello said. “We hope more public figures and citizens will take similar action. Littering is everyone’s problem and everyone’s responsibility to solve.”

Nalukoola, who has not yet commented publicly on the video, is known for his outspoken style and focus on grassroots issues in Kawempe North. The clip has boosted his public image among supporters who see it as proof of his commitment to practical leadership.

The moment has also inspired calls for stronger enforcement of littering laws. Some residents suggested that elected leaders should join periodic clean-up drives or personally hand out fines to habitual offenders. Others proposed installing more CCTV cameras on major roads to identify and prosecute litterbugs.

The viral video has sparked a small but growing online challenge, with users posting their own clips of confronting litterers or cleaning public spaces. Many have tagged Nalukoola, thanking him for leading by example.

In a city where waste management remains a persistent challenge, the MP’s simple act has been embraced as a powerful reminder that change begins with individual responsibility.