Pupils, teachers and church leaders in Masaka on Friday joined hands with city authorities to clean communities and promote environmental protection during the annual Hygiene and Environment Day organised by Kitovu Cathedral Parish.
The activities, led by Kitovu Cathedral Parish Schools, were held under the theme “Let us promote community hygiene and environment protection based on the Basic Christian Community.”
Several schools under the parish participated in a community clean-up exercise across different parts of the parish in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division.
Learners and teachers cleared garbage, swept public spaces and sensitised residents on proper waste management in areas including the market zone, Kakyafu, Kinoberu, Kitovu, Kasaana, Mukudde, Benghazi, Kitovu Nume, Nakayiba and the Kalangala Taxi Park.
The Mayor of Masaka, Florence Namayanja, commended the diocese and participating schools for organising the exercise, describing it as an important step towards improving sanitation in the city.
“This has come at a time when my legacy goal is to have a clean, green and livable city,” Namayanja said.
“In a city like Masaka, we must lead by example, and this is why we ask every individual to support initiatives that promote cleanliness and tree planting.”
She noted that maintaining a clean environment helps prevent disease outbreaks, reduces pollution and improves the overall quality of life for residents.
Margaret Nabbanja, who also heads the association of headteachers in Kitovu Parish, praised school administrators for guiding learners to actively participate in environmental protection activities.
She said engaging children at an early stage helps build lifelong habits of cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
“The more we promote a green environment, the healthier living we create,” Nabbanja said.
The event also marked the climax of an environmental week organised by the parish.
Fr John Bosco Kabaalu, who represented the diocese, said the initiative was in response to a call by Bishop Severus Jjumba urging communities to actively protect the environment.
Kabaalu stressed that environmental conservation begins with personal responsibility.
“Cleanliness starts with individuals and then expands to the wider society. When the concept begins with school children, it becomes easier to sustain it in the community,” he said.
Esther Nankumba reminded learners that hygiene starts with personal habits at home and extends to public spaces.
“Cleanliness begins from the bedroom, along the road and up to the school environment,” she told the pupils.
Nankumba emphasised that environmental protection is essential for preventing disasters such as floods and disease outbreaks.
She noted that poor environmental practices, including improper waste disposal and destruction of vegetation, contribute to flooding in cities such as Kampala.
“God gave us trees and a good environment, and it is our responsibility to protect them because they serve many purposes,” she said.
Environmental experts say community clean-up campaigns and tree planting play a vital role in improving public health and protecting natural resources.
Clean surroundings help control the spread of diseases such as cholera and malaria, while trees improve air quality, reduce soil erosion and help regulate climate.
Leaders at the event also emphasised that when schools take the lead in environmental conservation, children often influence their families and communities to adopt better practices.
As the activities concluded, organisers called for continuous community involvement in keeping neighbourhoods clean and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
