The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Uganda and the government have reached an agreement on how church members can participate in national cleaning activities while respecting their Sabbath observance.

The agreement was reached during a meeting held on Tuesday at the Office of the Prime Minister, where representatives from the SDA Church and government discussed concerns surrounding National Cleaning Day activities.

Under the new arrangement, SDA members will participate in the National Cleaning Day exercise on the last Sunday of every month instead of Saturday.

The decision was made to avoid conflict with the church’s Saturday Sabbath, which is considered a sacred day of worship, rest and spiritual reflection by Adventists.

Church leaders welcomed the agreement, saying it allows members to contribute to national sanitation efforts without compromising their religious beliefs.

The government also appreciated the dialogue, describing the arrangement as a demonstration of respect for religious freedom and cooperation between state institutions and faith communities.

According to the agreement, SDA members will take part in community cleaning exercises on Sundays when the monthly national activity is organised.

The arrangement is expected to allow Adventists to fully participate in keeping communities clean while maintaining their traditional day of worship.

The church explained that Saturdays are dedicated to worship, Bible study, fellowship and rest, making it difficult for members to participate in public activities during that period.

Under the new guidelines, official Saturday cleaning activities will be scheduled within a specific morning period from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

After the cleaning window, SDA worship centres will open from 10:00 a.m., allowing members to continue with Sabbath programmes, including worship services.

The arrangement also gives families the opportunity to conduct Sabbath School activities from their homes before attending church services.

Church leaders said the agreement reflects mutual understanding between the government and the SDA community.

They praised the authorities for listening to their concerns and finding a solution that respects both national responsibilities and religious practices.

Government officials said maintaining clean communities requires participation from all citizens, regardless of religious background.

They added that the agreement shows that national programmes can be implemented while respecting the constitutional right to freedom of worship.

The SDA Church encouraged its members to actively participate in the cleaning exercises under the agreed schedule.

Leaders reminded members that supporting national development efforts is part of their responsibility as citizens.

The agreement has been welcomed by many Adventists who had raised concerns about balancing Sabbath observance with participation in community activities.

Both the government and the SDA Church described the solution as a positive example of dialogue, cooperation and respect between different institutions.

The new arrangement is expected to strengthen cooperation between the government and religious organisations in promoting sanitation, unity and community development across Uganda.