SDA Faithful in Kamwenge Raise Sabbath Concerns Over National Cleaning Day

Members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Kamwenge District have expressed concerns regarding the government’s recently introduced National Cleaning Day. The initiative, scheduled for the last Saturday of every month from 7 am to 10 am, aims to promote environmental cleanliness and public health.

However, for SDA believers, Saturdays are observed as the Sabbath, a day dedicated to worship, prayer, and rest, according to their religious teachings. Participating in secular activities on this day presents a direct conflict with their deeply held beliefs.

Believers feel caught between fulfilling their religious obligations and complying with a national program. An SDA church elder stated, “We fully support keeping our communities clean, but Saturday is our Sabbath. It is a sacred day set aside for worship, and we appeal to the government to consider another day so that all citizens can participate without compromising their religious beliefs.”

Religious leaders in the Rwenzori Sub-region are aware of the situation. Bishop Kazi Twinomujuni, Chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council of Rwenzori Region, indicated that religious leaders will deliberate on the issue and present recommendations to the Office of the Prime Minister. “This is an important matter because it touches both public health and freedom of worship. As religious leaders, we shall engage one another and forward our resolutions to the Office of the Prime Minister so that an appropriate solution can be considered,” Bishop Kazi said.

While acknowledging the importance of cleanliness as a shared responsibility, Bishop Kazi, who also leads the Born-Again Faith community in Kamwenge, encouraged SDA believers to remain law-abiding during ongoing consultations. He noted that the three-hour exercise might not entirely preclude later worship services.

SDA adherents hope for a resolution that accommodates their religious observance while supporting the goals of the national cleaning campaign. The government initiative is part of a broader effort to improve sanitation and reduce disease outbreaks across Uganda.

Source: Nile Post