Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West Member of Parliament Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda has praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for respecting the religious concerns of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) community by allowing them to participate in the National Cleaning Days programme on a different day.
Babalanda made the remarks while delivering a vote of thanks during an inter-ministerial meeting on the National Cleaning Day initiative held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala. She commended the President’s decision after Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja confirmed that SDA faithful would be exempted from Saturday cleaning activities because the day is observed as their holy Sabbath.
The Prime Minister explained that President Museveni had approved a special arrangement allowing SDA members to conduct their national cleaning responsibilities on the last Sunday of every month instead of Saturday, which remains the official government cleaning day. The adjustment was intended to balance national participation with respect for freedom of worship.
Nabbanja said the arrangement would enable SDA believers to fully contribute to the government sanitation programme while honouring their religious obligations. She added that Church leaders would guide the exercise and ensure that prayers begin after 10:00am to allow members to take part in the cleaning activities.
Babalanda described the President’s decision as a demonstration of tolerance and commitment to protecting freedom of worship in Uganda. She said the gesture reflects the values of inclusiveness promoted by the National Resistance Movement and thanked the President for considering the spiritual convictions of the SDA community.
The Minister also called upon Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners and their deputies to actively mobilise communities ahead of the monthly cleaning exercises. She urged local leaders to identify areas requiring attention, organise cleaning materials and communicate preparations early to ensure successful implementation.
The National Cleaning Days programme was introduced by Cabinet as a nationwide initiative aimed at improving sanitation, promoting environmental protection and encouraging discipline among citizens. The exercise was initially scheduled for every last Saturday of the month from 7:00am to 10:00am, with enforcement support from local authorities, police and other security agencies.
The SDA community had earlier raised concerns that the Saturday schedule conflicted with their Sabbath observance, which runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Following discussions between Church leaders and government officials, the exemption was granted, allowing SDA members to participate on Sunday while maintaining their religious commitments. The agreement was communicated during the meeting attended by senior government officials, including ministers and representatives from key institutions.
