KANUNGU- The Diocese of Kinkizi has officially launched its Sanitation, Hygiene, and Environmental Conservation Competitions, marking the beginning of a transformative year-long initiative aimed at improving public health and environmental sustainability.
The launch event, held at Ngoto Island Tourism Hub in Bwindi and brought together key stakeholders who included religious leaders, government officials, and community representatives, where the Bishop of the Diocese of Kinkiizi Rt Rev Dan Zoreka as the Chief Guest.
This initiative comes from from Bishop Zoreka’s 2024 Pastoral Confirmation Visit to all parishes, where he identified substandard sanitation conditions and in response, the Diocesan Council that convened on January 3rd 2025, at Ngoto and resolved to dedicate this year to sanitation, hygiene and environmental conservation.
According to the Diocese of Kinkizi Communication Officer, Rev Bob Mbabazi Ntegyereize the initiative has two key objectives which include improving Household and Institutional Sanitation through structured competitions, where the Diocese aims to encourage better sanitation practices across homes, schools, churches and healthcare facilities.
The initiative also is looking at addressing Climate Change and Food Insecurity and the campaign will promote environmental conservation through tree planting both natural and fruit trees and the cultivation of nutritious food crops such as cassava, pumpkins, yams, eggplants, cabbage, carrots,and greens.
In order to engage the community, the initiative will incorporate Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) performances, along with educational programs on food security and environmental conservation.
The launch event served as both a training session for stakeholders and a ceremonial start of the initiative and the was attended by all the Archdeacons of the Diocese, Diocesan Heads of Department, In-charges from Diocesan Health Facilities, three Archdeaconry Representatives, District Planner Innocent Atuheire who represented the Chief Administrative Officer who commended the Diocese for spearheading this crucial campaign, acknowledging that while sanitation and environmental conservation should be government-led initiatives, financial constraints have limited their implementation.
Atuheire emphasized the importance of food security, citing a recent census report that revealed 84% of Kanungu residents rely on agriculture, yet 34% face food insufficiency and urged that no one be left behind in this campaign and pledged the district’s full support throughout its implementation.
In his keynote address, Bishop Zoreka declared that the official launch was meant to raise awareness and mobilize collective action and expressed gratitude to the Kanungu District Local Government for supporting diocesan initiatives and reaffirmed that the campaign is inclusive, targeting all residents of Kanungu, irrespective of sex, clan, tribe, religion or institution.
The Bishop underscored that sanitation and hygiene are communal responsibilities and when one person neglects them, others are at risk and stressed that the campaign would be implemented in all homesteads, institutions, schools, churches and healthcare facilities.
He urged Heads of Institutions to revive traditional school sanitation practices and promote hygiene habits that students can carry home and also emphasized the need for a mindset shift, encouraging people to take personal responsibility for their health and environment.
The Bishop made a special call for men to actively participate in the campaign, especially in Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) and announced that the climax of the music competitions will take place on May 7th 2025, during the Diocese’s 30th-anniversary celebrations.
Rev Mbabazi Ntegyereize said that beyond sanitation and hygiene, the campaign integrates food security and environmental conservation and residents will be encouraged to plant food crops to combat malnutrition and plant both natural and fruit trees to mitigate climate change effects.
He noted that the Sanitation, Hygiene, and Environmental Conservation Competitions will run throughout the year, fostering healthy living, environmental responsibility and food security as the Diocese of Kinkizi embarks on this ambitious journey to transform lives, preserve the environment and strengthen community resilience in Kanungu District.
