TAKEAWAYS

• Adventists to clean on Sunday instead of Saturday under the agreed exception.
• Saturday remains National Cleaning Day for the general public, with the exercise running from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Government and SDA leaders will continue talks on the long-term arrangement.

The Government of Uganda has announced an exception for members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the recently introduced National Cleaning Day programme, allowing them to participate in the monthly exercise on Sunday instead of Saturday.

The development follows engagements between Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including Uganda Union Mission President Pastor Samuel Kajoba.

The Government initially declared the last Saturday of every month as National Cleaning Day, with the nationwide exercise running from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The first exercise was held on July 25.

However, the arrangement created a conflict for Adventists because Saturday is observed as the Sabbath, a day dedicated to worship and religious observance from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

Following discussions with church leaders, Nabbanja said Adventists would be allowed to undertake the cleaning exercise on Sunday, while observing the government’s three-hour restriction on Saturday morning.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church members will work on Sunday, not Saturday, as advised by the President.”

Nabbanja also thanked the church leadership for accepting the proposal, saying the arrangement would allow the Government’s sanitation campaign to continue while accommodating the church’s religious obligations.

“I want to appreciate you, Archbishop, for accepting the President’s proposal. And I know going forward, the garbage around the country will keep reducing.”

The Prime Minister said the Government would continue consultations on the broader issue, while urging Adventists to remain calm as discussions continue.

Church leaders, meanwhile, welcomed the engagement and maintained that Adventists support national initiatives but cannot compromise their Sabbath observance.

The arrangement provides a temporary solution to the clash between the Government’s monthly sanitation programme and the church’s religious obligations, with further discussions expected on the way forward.