WEST NILE RELIGIOUS LEADERS MOVE TO CHAMPION ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION

By Sabir Musa

Religious institutions in West Nile are making moves to save environment by using different strategies. This is aimed at responding to high environment destructions rate in the region, especially deforestation and poor waste management.

At the Diocese of Madi and West Nile, a program named as Tree Sunday that runs every year has led to plantation of thousand trees across the diocese.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Collins Andaku champions the environment campaign explained that, the diocese is targeting community members and encouraging them to make contribute in environment protection as it comes with several benefits besides. “Trees are very important so we are asking them to embrace tree planting to get food, to get money from this so that their livelihood can be improved because you cannot live without food. If you have money from trees, you can buy food and have medicine” the Bishop highlighted, stating that trees also helps as wind breaks, provides shed and attract compounds.

Several cases of deforestation are reported from different districts of West Nile, this affects the rainfall pattern and contributes to global warming.

The Chairperson of Arua Pentecostal Pastors Association, Rev. David Emazu, informed that tree planting initiatives are now incorporated into other church programs so that the target of afforestation is achieved. “We want to inculcate the idea of planting trees so that people can sustain environment and can be okay” he said.

However, West Nile Regional Secretary at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Habib Aluma, stated that protecting environment is mandate of all citizens as it is one of the 10-ethical values of Uganda. “Respect for humanity and environment, in the breakdown it explains what has caused the disrespect for our society and destruction of our environment, the end result is climate change” the secretary explained.

These religious institutions are now using sermons and other programs to sensitize public on tree planting and other means of protecting environment.

COVER PHOTO: Bishop of the Diocese of Madi-West Nile, Rt. Rev. Collins Andaku planting a tree. File Photo by Diocese of Madi West Nile

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