The Catholic Church has in partnership with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) moved to make the Uganda Martyrs Day Celebratins at Namugongo Shrine an environmental friendly activity, by asking pilgrims to stop using “Kaveera” (polythene bags) during this year’s fete.

The development, partly inspired by Pope Francis’ call to protect “Mother Nature”, in his encyclical “Laudato Si”, was over the weekend announced the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese.

“Having noted the threat posed by “Kaveera” to human and animal health, and integrity of creation as a whole, and concerned about the magnitude of “Kaveera” dropped in around Namugongo every year during the Uganda Martyrs Day celebration, we therefore join NEMA in making the Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations environmentally friendly by making the shrine free of “Kaveera”,” he said.

Bishop Zziwa said that while “Kaveera” may be cheap, convenient and popular, it is non-biodegradable, which makes it very dangerous. 

“It takes over 400 years for it to decompose totally. Unfortunately, no one will live long enough to witness natural decomposition of the “Kaveera” they dumped today,” the Bishop said, adding that “Kaveera” has potential to destroy farm land and undermine agriculture which is the backbone of Uganda’s economy and the livelihoods of majority Ugandans. 

 The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 4th – 6th April 2015 in Geneva, their research confirmative findings to the effect that the increase in non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, asthma, diabetes, obesity,) can no longer be attributable to genetic disorders, but partly a result of pollution overload in the environment mainly by chemicals from substances such as plastics. 

“As the Catholic Church, we acknowledge the serious obligation to care for all creation, and acknowledge a link that exists between promotion of human dignity and the right to a clean environment, clean air and clean water free of disease causing pollution,” he said. 

 “We are particularly inspired and encouraged by the deep reflections and appeals made by His Holiness Pope Francis in his Encyclical “Laudato Si” (Praise You Lord) in which he reiterates the duty humanity owes towards the environment. The Pope appeals to our conscience as believers and people of good will to protect mother earth and planet from destruction,” the Bishop said.

Bishop Zziwa told journalists that the decision has been taken to protect Mother Nature and humanity from the harmful effects of polythene bags. He advised pilgrims to avoud  food wrapped or packed in “Kaveera” because it has been scientifically proved to be harmful, and advised them to use paper bags and other biodegradable bags for carrying their belongings to the shrine.

He said the programme to discourage use of kaveera and protecting the environment will be extended to all other Catholic Shrines and institutions, as part of the Church’s contribution to posterity.

He said the Uganda Episcopal Conference is pleased to work with  the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to educate the public about the dangers posed by the Kaveera as part of empowering the public with information to make their own decisions.

According to NEMA, and the other partners in the project,  green dustbins will be deployed at the major entrances and exit into Namugongo to collect polythene bags which will accidentally find their way to the shrine.

Dr. Tom Okurut, the Executive Director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) says the joint campaign with the Catholic Church is being carried out in partnership with  VIVO Energy (Shell) and Next Media Services (NBS TV) on the occasion of the celebration of Uganda Martyrs Day on June 3rd.

Dr Okurut says the Uganda Martyrs Shrine at Namugongo is a sacred international tourism destination which must be protected from environmental pollution. He said the campaign provides an opportunity for educating and recruiting pilgrims as ambassadors for the protection of the environment.

According to Dr Okurut, NEMA is counting on the ripple effect of pilgrims carrying back the message of the abolition of the use of the Kaveera to galvanize implementation of laws outlawing the use of polythene ene bags below 30 microns in the country. He says the campaign is running under the theme: “Tuve KuKaveera”.

Below is Bishop Zziwa’s full statement

Press Statement

on the “Free Kavera Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Numugongo”

People of Goodwill

Fellow Citizens

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today the Uganda Episcopal Conference launches a joint campaign against “Kaveera” in and around the premises of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo. This initiative has been undertaken by the Uganda Episcopal Conference in conjunction with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) with its partners; Vivo Energy, Shell Uganda, NBS and Next Media Services. 

As citizens and partners in the development of Uganda, we are inspired in this initiative by the current global campaigns against environmental degradation. We are also guided by the several protocols to which the Government of Uganda is signatory and by the Constitution and laws of Uganda that govern our interaction with the environment. We are particularly inspired and encouraged by the deep reflections and appeals made by His Holiness Pope Francis in his Encyclical “Laudato Si” (Praise You Lord) in which he reiterates the duty humanity owes towards the environment. The Pope appeals to our conscience as believers and people of good will to protect mother earth and planet from destruction.

Having noted the threat posed by “Kaveera” to human and animal health, and integrity of creation as a whole, and concerned about the magnitude of “Kaveera” dropped in around Namugongo every year during the Uganda Martyrs Day celebration, we therefore join NEMA in making the Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations environmentally friendly by making the shrine free of “Kaveera”. 

“Kaveera”, as many of you know, may be cheap, convenient and popular but is non-biodegradable. It takes over 400 years for it to decompose totally. Unfortunately, no one will live long enough to witness natural decomposition of the “Kaveera” they dumped today. “Kaveera” has potential to destroy farm land and undermine agriculture which is the backbone of Uganda’s economy and the livelihoods of majority Ugandans. 

With regard to human health, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 4th – 6th April 2015 in Geneva, their research confirmative findings to the effect that the increase in non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, asthma, diabetes, obesity,) can no longer be attributable to genetic disorders, but partly a result of pollution overload in the environment mainly by chemicals from substances such as plastics. 

As the Catholic Church, we acknowledge the serious obligation to care for all creation, and acknowledge a link that exists between promotion of human dignity and the right to a clean environment, clean air and clean water free of disease causing pollution. 

As such, the Uganda Episcopal Conference declares that starting this year, the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations held annually on June 3 at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo, will no longer welcome “Kaveera”. In subsequent years, this initiative will be extended to other Catholic Shrines. Pilgrims are encouraged to carry items in reusable cloth, papyrus (Kikapu) or paper bags. Green bins will, however, be provided for disposal of “Kaveera” for those who might have forgotten and come with them for any other reason. 

On the occasion of celebrating Uganda Martyrs day, the Uganda Episcopal Conference calls upon every person of goodwill to think of the many ways in which they can participate in maintaining serenity and integrity of creation. As for the faithful, we call on you to make this call part of your witnessing to the Gospel as well as the responsibility given to man in Genesis Chapter 1 verse 28. We encourage the clergy to disseminate this information through the various media available to them, including announcements during Holy Mass.

We wish you all fruitful celebrations of the Feast of the Uganda Martyrs. 

‘For God and my Country’.

Given this day of 10th May, 2019 at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Nsambya-Kampala.

On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Uganda,

+Joseph Antony Zziwa,

Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, and Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference.

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The former Speaker of Buganda Lukiiko, Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma has passed on, the Kingdom has confirmed.

Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma was appointed Speaker after the demise of Sulaiman Lubega Kaddunabbi during Katikiro Eng. JB Walusimbi reign in 2012 and 2013.

The mysterious cause of his death has not been revealed, however, this website has learnt the deceased has been sick for sometime. Mr. Sserunkuuma was a son to former Lukiiko Speaker, the late Ali Kulumba.

During his time, Sserunkuuma was deputized by late Dr. Higiro Ssemajege (died in 2013).

In 2013, Owek Hajj Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma launched his book titled ‘Wali Luddawa’ translating into where were you which details circumstances surrounding Uganda’s attainment of independence.

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A Pakistani judge has sentenced a man to be executed after he was expelled 17 times from 6 different mosques for excessive farting during the period of the Ramadan reports the Islamabad Herald this week, according to world news daily report.

The Ramadan is the most important religious festival for Muslims and the judge declared that he had indisposed people of the faith and even caused 53 people at one time to leave the mosque during a prayer, a “blasphemous act” which should be punished “according to Allah’s will.”

The judge was lenient, have admitted many experts in the region, as he gave the convicted man the choice of being beheaded or stoned to death.

“The law is clear, he should be stoned to death, beheading is a very light sentence and saves him from any suffering,” protested the government prosecutor.

A rare medical condition

Muhammad Al-Wahabi, 33, suffers from chronic flatulence, “a rare medical condition” he argued in his self-defense, as no lawyer would take his case.

“No lawyer is crazy enough to bet his career on this issue. If his client his condemned, as in this case, the lawyer would face prosecution and possibly the same faith as his client” admits legal expert Andrew Jones, a Middle Eastern law expert.

Al-Wahabi did not contest the judgment and even said the judgment was fair and that he hoped Allah would be gracious enough to pardon his blasphemous actions.

Al-Wahabi also admitted that he put a tampon in his rectum several times in a desperate attempt to mask the noise and odor.

“A disgraceful and insidious act” the judge declared, visibly disgusted.

“Muslims are not allowed to insert any objects inside their anus, not even a finger, it is forbidden by the Koran,” said the judge.

“As a judge, I must set an example for other Muslims. This is clearly unacceptable under Shariah law,” he concluded.

Al-Wahabi admitted to the judge he had failed his God, his religion, and his people and was terribly sorry for what he had done, and asked for his two wives and seven children’s mercy in court and thanked the judge for his verdict. – story via world news daily report.

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