KIGALI - The last Saturday of the month usually sees Rwandans actively involved in Umuganda (Communal cleaning exercise). It was just the same yesterday regardless of the festive season. A season that is synonymous with merry making and drinking till the week hours.

Along the road to Kigali International airport, motorcyclists smartly parked their bikes at the edge of the road to make their contribution to the communal cleaning exercise.

"We are not doing this because it’s a government policy or to show off but rather because of the benefits. This is for our own good and health,” one of the motorcyclists who preferred anonymity said. Indeed this seemed the general attitude on a morning that was very sombre in itself.

"I slept at about 2 a.m but had to join members of my community in the exercise. I feel proud when I hear foreigners mention Rwanda as being very clean,” explained a red eyed John Habimana who was busy unblocking a drainage pipe in Kicukiro.

All shops and businesses, as is the tradition during Umuganda, were closed. On many occasions the reporter’s card had to come in handy in order for traffic police to wave us on.

Many vehicles were stopped as the approached the Sonatube junction from Bugesera. The passengers would with a smile or grudgingly join residents nearby in the cleaning exercise.

The exercise that usually ends at 11a.m was enhanced by a light shower that cleaned the environment further. This will be the last countrywide Communal cleaning exercise in 2008.

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