The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kisoro District is calling on the government to allow its followers to move freely during national cleaning days so they can attend Sabbath services without interruption.
The call was made on Saturday during the closing ceremony of a two-week Adventist conference held at the Kisoro Municipality Mayor’s Gardens. The conference started on September 14, 2026.
The Chairman of Laity for Bufumbira and Bukimbiri Adventists, Elder Julius Barere, appealed to government leaders to consider the church’s request and allow Adventists to move freely on national cleaning days when they are going to attend Sabbath services.
Barere said Adventist church services normally begin at 9:00 a.m., but some members are often afraid to travel on the roads during national cleaning days because other members of the public are engaged in cleaning activities.
The Kisoro Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Sam Byibesho, who was the guest of honour at the conference’s closing ceremony, said local leaders should address the matter and ensure that Adventists are able to move freely during national cleaning days.
Byibesho said Adventists observe Sunday as their day of participation in national activities and urged Kisoro leaders to consider their request rather than leaving the matter for leaders in Kampala to resolve.
Pastor Justus Turinawe, who leads Adventists in Gisozi, said the conference covered various topics, including health, marriage and development.
He said the church begins with families and encourages members to remain committed to unity and peace, which he said are important for the development of the country.
Pastor Joseph Kibiribiri Ngare, who leads the Chuho Adventist Church, said more than 35 people accepted Christ and were baptized by immersion in water during the 14-day gospel campaign.
Ngare said the conference also attracted people from different religious backgrounds who asked questions about how they could strengthen and develop their families. He said the interactions contributed to the success of the conference and encouraged several people to join the church.
Preaching during the closing ceremony, Pastor Robert Mfitumukiza said adultery and infidelity among married couples have contributed to the breakdown of families and hindered development.
He called on married couples to respect and honour one another and work to resolve conflicts, saying this could help reduce cases of suicide linked to family-related conflicts.
Jackson Ndagijimana, the chairman of the organizing committee, called on Adventists to work together to spread the word of God and put into practice the teachings shared during the conference.
