The Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, the Rt Rev Samuel Kahuma Abwoli, has urged all people to opt for burning all polythene bags and papers and plastic waste in their homes and vicinities for an environment free of harmful littered material.
Speaking during a cleaning exercise of Hoima city organised by the diocesan Mothers Union in the Holy Week in Hoima city today (Tuesday), March 26, 2024, the bishop said collective efforts in ridding the environment of litter is the best option since the city council will not extend to as far as people’s homes to collect plastic garbage for a clean surrounding.
The cleric wondered that despite using the non-biodegradable plastic waste, they tend to leave it littered anywhere yet it is gorgeous when people keep their surroundings clean and tidy.
He said although it is known that burning plastic material is harmful to human health through toxic fumes emitted into the atmosphere and finally inhaled by man, it is a “better devil” that leaving it littered anywhere; creating a bad view and untidy part of the area.
“Many homes are full of plastic waste bags, plastic bottles and other filthy items. Let every person look around their houses in this Holy Week and pick up whatever is filthy and set it ablaze. Although burning plastic materials is harmful, but for now it is a better devil,” Bishop Kahuma said.
Bishop Kahuma added that the way the church is advocating for a clean spiritual environment, so is it also doing for a clean geographical and corporeal environment for a better life.
The Rev Benon Atalemwa Abboki of St Peter’s Cathedral Duhaga, Hoima city, who also attended the cleaning exercise, urged people to ensure that they live in a clean environment by clearing all bushes around their homes and fumigating washrooms to avoid being mosquito and cockroach breeding grounds that are harmful to human life.
The Hoima City Deputy Mayor, Ms Sylvia Nalumaga, reproached her fellow leaders for being adamant when the environment is messed up with garbage especially at this time when Hoima boma grounds are left littered mainly with plastic waste yet they could ascertain that all is kept clean.
She challenged users of the playground to ensure that they leave it clean after using it for a clean environment before urging all people to keep their homes and environs clean for good human habitation.
The Secretary for Education and Health in Hoima City Council, Mr Achilles Kiiza, urged sellers of foodstuff wrapped in polythene papers to always move with bags into which to dispose of plastic bags after buyers’ consumption of such packed foods.
He regretted that after using the playground for sports, the entire environment is left shambolic yet the organisers have to take the mantle of cleaning it.
He also urged the business community to always leave their garbage outside such that city cleaners can dispose of it properly.
Ms Grace Mukugize, the President of Mothers Union in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, said the cleaning exercise was symbolic of the forthcoming Easter celebrations revealing that more of the similar exercise will take place in December as they commemorate Christmas.
Some Churches under Church of Uganda and Church of Uganda founded schools in Hoima city participated in the cleaning exercise that was carried out at Hoima Central Market, Perse Road, Market Street, Old Tooro Road, Main Street, Wright Road, Butyaba Road, Duhaga Roundabout and Duhaga playground among others.
What scientists say
Burning plastic is reported to be extremely harmful to people and the environment. Harmful toxins like Benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released when burning plastic and can significantly increase the chances of cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects. It also greatly damage internal organs and the hormonal system, according to sciencedirect.com.
