WAKISO — The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uganda has asked its members to take part in the National Cleaning Day exercise held on the last Sunday of every month, while observing government guidelines governing movement during the exercise.
Church president Samuel Kajoba said Adventists should participate in the monthly activity on Sunday and comply with the stipulated movement restrictions to avoid unnecessary disagreements with security personnel.
Mr Kajoba made the remarks at City Secondary School in Senge, Wakiso District, where more than 1,000 Adventists had gathered for a Church Camp Meeting.
He said the Church had engaged government officials to resolve concerns over the timing of the cleaning exercise because the initial arrangement conflicted with the Adventist Sabbath, which runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
“The only thing we could resist was cleaning on the Sabbath, because that is contrary to our faith,” Mr Kajoba said.
He said Church leaders held consultations with government officials, including the Prime Minister, and received assurances that the religious practices of Seventh-day Adventists would be respected.
Mr Kajoba said the discussions resulted in an arrangement allowing Adventists to conduct their monthly cleaning activities on the last Sunday of the month.
“We took a lot of time in engagement with the Prime Minister, and from the guidance of the President himself, who even confirmed the recognition of our faith. We agreed that as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we will do our cleaning on the last Sunday of the month,” he said.
Movement directive
The Church president also addressed concerns over changes to the timing of the Sabbath School programme, particularly the adjustment from 9am to 10am.
He urged members to respect the change, explaining that it was intended to ensure compliance with the government’s movement guidelines and reduce the possibility of confrontations with security officers.
Mr Kajoba said the Church would continue to encourage its members to respect lawful government directives while maintaining discipline and cooperation with authorities.
He urged Adventists to approach the monthly cleaning exercise as an opportunity to contribute to the cleanliness and wellbeing of their communities.
Spiritual renewal
The Church’s monthly cleaning directive was announced alongside messages of spiritual renewal at the Wakiso Area Camp Meeting.
The main speaker, Pastor G.W. Mayanja of Masaka Station, encouraged Christians to strengthen their relationship with God by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their lives and resisting influences that could weaken their faith.
The district pastor, Pastor Willy Kasirivu, welcomed participants and encouraged members to attend the camp meeting with friends and other visitors.
The event attracted both adults and young people.
The organising chairperson and chief elder of Seventh-day Adventist Bukasa Church, Elder James Kayita, said the organisers had prepared several activities alongside the spiritual programmes.
These include a free medical camp, blood donation exercises and sessions intended to promote personal development and community engagement.
The Camp Meeting is being held under the theme “Rooted in the Word for Mission.”