The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has reached an agreement with the Ugandan government to participate in the monthly National Cleaning Day on Sundays instead of Saturdays.
The arrangement follows discussions between SDA Church leadership, including Pastor Samuel Kajoba, and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. It is intended to allow SDA members to take part in the government’s sanitation campaign without interfering with their religious observance.
The government introduced the mandatory National Cleaning Day in July 2026, designating the last Saturday of every month for community cleaning and sanitation activities. However, the programme presented a challenge for members of the SDA Church because Saturday is observed as the Sabbath, a day set aside for worship and other religious activities.
Under the new arrangement, SDA members will continue with their Sabbath programmes on Saturday. These include Sabbath School activities, worship services and other congregational programmes, before joining the national cleaning exercise on Sunday.
The agreement is being viewed as a compromise that allows SDA members to uphold their religious beliefs while also contributing to government efforts to improve cleanliness and sanitation in communities across the country.
The arrangement also highlights the importance of dialogue between government and religious institutions when implementing national programmes that may affect specific religious practices.
With the new understanding in place, SDA members will be able to participate in the National Cleaning Day while maintaining their Saturday Sabbath observance.
The development is expected to provide a workable balance between religious freedom and the government’s push for cleaner and healthier communities.
