Role of Church in environmental stewardship in Albertine graben

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OPINION

By Rev. Paddy Irumba Eleazer

Sustainable use and effective harnessing of natural resources as well as mitigation measures against environmental degradation depend on a multifarious factors ranging from physical, natural, artificial and human activities.

Global Climate change has created a major growing concern, and scientists have confirmed that its negative impact is far-reaching, mainly due to human activity globally. It is estimated that about nine million people die prematurely each year due to ambient pollution, primarily from Air, water and soil contamination, according to a recent study by the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health with European Union (EU) support.

It is also estimated that burning fossil fuels accounts for 3.6 million deaths per year, other deaths are due to air pollution, and indoor pollution resulting from household energy use. Air pollution alone accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, becoming the second leading risk factor for death, including children under five years.

Environmental problems of charcoal burning, deforestation, cultivation, and pollution have culminated in Biodiversity loss, stunting of forests, natural vegetation, declining wildlife and death of aquatic life.

The increasing urbanisation, population growth, economic expansion, and farming activities have contributed to environmental degradation in Albertine graben, starting from Kangombe forest reserve in Greater Kibaale district, Bugoma in Hoima and Budongo forest reserves, where about 60% of the forest cover had been depleted in three major forest reserves in Bunyoro by 2021 through vigorous campaigns to restore forest cover. The current recovery rate stands at about 70% in the Major central forest reserves of Bunyoro.

It is from this background that the church of Uganda in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, through the clergy, has played a tremendous role in environmental stewardship based on theological and ethical practices for effective environmental management in the Albertine region. This has been anchored in an integrated theoretical framework of ecclesial participation and the stewardship model.

Through active involvement in environmental management and having a strong Biblical position on environmental issues, the church has had a positive impact on the community's attitude and action towards the environment. This is done through tree planting campaigns and voluntary evacuation from gazetted zones.

The church of Uganda has encouraged the use of religious teaching and developed policies and programs to promote sustainable population growth and environmental management practices, of planting trees in every parish of the church of Uganda.

There is an environmental education program with the church of Uganda on various platforms, notably community Baraza, radio programs, television and print media. Promotion of awareness and understanding of environmental issues among Christians, together with collaboration between the church and government environmental agencies like the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), National Forestry Authority (NFA), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Environmental Alert, non-governmental organisations, and local communities in addressing environmental challenges in Albertine-region.

The church of Uganda is considering the divine responsibility entrusted to humanity regarding the conservation of nature and the physical environment. Throughout history, all religions of the world, including the Orthodox Church, Hinduism, Buddhism, Roman catholic church, Islam, among others, have traditionally expressed ethical concerns for the environment and its creatures. Greed and destruction of creation are condemned by religious traditions.

The retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali, the Retired  Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, His Lordship Nathan Kyamanywa, and the Rtd Bishop Samuel Kahuma of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, have been environmental icons in the Bunyoro sub-region, not excluding the Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo. They have been fostering tree planting campaigns in all parishes across the Bunyoro region as well as preaching for environmental protection in the region.

The Biblical text and scriptures used by the clergy assert that the church is duty-bound to fulfil its mandate to value and treat creation with respect. Col.1:17, Heb.1:3, 10-12, The church is given a mandate for stewardship according to Gen. 1:26-28. Psalms 8:5. The lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work and care for it.

Planting of trees is often linked with themes of renewal, sustainability, and the long-term impact on the health ecosystem. The Bible provides the theological foundation of environmental care in Genesis; Humanity is given stewardship over creation, which is often interpreted as a divine mandate to care for the Earth. The role of the church cannot be underestimated in restoring depleted nature.

The writer is a PhD student in Philosophy of Theology at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono