By Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS
The Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), together with the Laudato Si’ Movement and the Nsambya Environmental Initiative, joined communities across the country in marking the second National Cleaning Day on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
The National Cleaning Day initiative follows the country’s decision to dedicate the last Saturday of every month to cleaning and caring for the environment. For this is an opportunity to put into practice the call to care for our common home, echoing the message of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’. “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvement and talents.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, §14.
For the religious who participated, cleaning the surroundings was a practical expression of a deeper responsibility, recognizing that the environment is a shared gift and that everyone has a role to play in protecting it for present and future generations.
The timing of this year’s National Cleaning Day was particularly significant. The activity took place just two days before the beginning of the 2026 Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October.
The Season of Creation is a special period when Christians around the world come together to pray, reflect and take action for the care of creation. The National Cleaning Day provided ARU a meaningful opportunity to begin this season not only with words and prayer, but with concrete action.
By joining the cleaning exercise, ARU, the Laudato Si’ Movement and the Nsambya Environmental Initiative sought to encourage a culture in which environmental responsibility becomes part of everyday life.
The message from ARU and its partners is clear: a clean environment is not merely about a clean street or compound. It is about a change of heart and a renewed sense of responsibility for the home we share.
The invitation is therefore to continue beyond one cleaning day, to make care for creation a daily commitment, a community responsibility and an integral part of our faith mission.
