Uganda Martyrs Shrine: Bishops ban the use of plastic bags at Shrine

English Africa Service – Vatican City

Uganda’s Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa, the Bishop of Kiyinda – Mityana Diocese who is also President of the Uganda Catholic Episcopal conference has said that starting from this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day on 3 June, the use of plastic bags in and around the premises of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo, will not be allowed.

Bishop Zziwa said plastic contaminates the environment hence the ban by the Bishops.

Food packed in ‘Kaveera,’ single use polythene will not be tolerated

The Kiyinda – Mityana Bishop told journalists that the decision by the Bishops had been taken to protect the environment and humanity from the harmful effects of polythene bags. He said food wrapped or packed in single-use Kaveera will also not be tolerated at the Shrine adding that pilgrims should use paper bags and other biodegradable bags for carrying their belongings to the Shrine.

The Bishops of Uganda say they eventually intend to ban Kaveera bags at all Catholic Shrines and institutions in the country.

Green dustbins will be deployed at main entrances and exits into the Namugongo Shrine to collect all Kaveera or polythene bags that pilgrims may unknowingly carry to the Shrine.

Speaking at the same event, to reporters, Dr Tom Okurut, the Executive Director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said the campaign against plastic was an opportunity for educating and recruiting pilgrims as ambassadors for the protection of the environment.

Polythene bags are known to take over 400 years to decompose when disposed to the environment. Dr Okurut says the scope of the damage that Kaveera has done to the environment is unimaginable adding that communities should be more concerned now that there is a global consensus on the abolition of the use of Kaveera.