Our difficult work: The reality of cleaning Kampala

Every day at dawn, we arrive tired but ready to begin our work. As the city starts to wake up, so do we to remove the garbage and filth left behind in the night.

We are among the earliest risers in Kampala, getting to our assigned areas before most people are even out of bed. While others sleep, we sweep the streets, scrub public toilets, and collect piles of trash so the city can function.

It is hard, dirty work but it must be done. If we do not clear the rubbish, Kampala would soon be choked by its own waste. Disease would spread easily without our efforts at sanitation.

We take pride in helping keep the capital clean, but it is a battle each day. No matter how much we collect, more mess is made.

The loads we remove would shock many. Medical waste, feces, plastic bags – people discard it all with no thought of where it ends up.

Our job is necessary yet overlooked. Few acknowledge our contributions to public health. We work long hours in conditions that would dismay most others, yet receive little pay or protections. Many see only our brooms or refuse carts, not the human behind them.

Injuries and illnesses are common in our line of work due to the hazards involved. But we have no benefits if we are hurt or become sick from what we handle each day. Going to hospital means losing wages we rely on to support our families.

All we ask is that others respect our role in maintaining the city. Proper facilities and equipment would help us work safer. A little kindness and thanks from passersby would boost our morale.

Though tiresome and difficult, we will continue our task of cleansing Kampala as long as it needs doing. Our hope is that one day, people will appreciate the cleaners who help keep their streets and communities healthy.