DOKOLO, UGANDA – The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dokolo District has formally adopted the National Cleaning Day initiative as a monthly Sunday activity, following a government exemption that allows the congregation to observe their Saturday Sabbath.
The decision, spearheaded by Elder Cons Okabo Opio, was demonstrated on Sunday when church members took to the streets of Dokolo Town, collecting rubbish and cleaning public spaces with minimal supervision. The exercise marked the church’s first official participation under the new arrangement, which will see Adventists clean on the last Sunday of every month.
“Keeping the environment clean is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of religious background,” Okabo Opio said during the exercise. The retired headteacher applauded the government for respecting the religious rights of Seventh-day Adventists by allowing them to observe their Sabbath on Saturdays while contributing to the national cleaning programme on Sundays.
The exemption was granted following a formal request to the government, approved by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. The arrangement has been described by Okabo Opio as a positive demonstration of religious tolerance, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence between the government and religious institutions.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uganda had previously been unable to participate in the monthly Saturday cleaning activities due to their religious observance. The government’s approval of the exemption has been widely welcomed by Adventists, who say they are now ready to contribute to a cleaner and healthier Uganda while continuing to observe their beliefs.
The Dokolo exercise, led by church elders and supported by local residents, saw Adventists moving across the town centre, clearing rubbish and tidying public areas. The initiative is expected to serve as a model for other districts, highlighting the potential for collaboration between government programmes and faith-based communities.
The message from Dokolo Adventists is clear: keeping the environment clean is not only a government responsibility but a shared duty for every citizen. With the church’s commitment to a monthly Sunday cleanup, the district is set to benefit from a sustained, faith-driven effort to improve public hygiene and environmental protection.
