The Church of Uganda has introduced a new burial practice, replacing the tradition of laying wreaths on caskets with tree planting.
This initiative is part of the Church’s broader commitment to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation.
The decision was formalized in the Church’s Strategic Planning Framework for 2026-2030, approved during a joint session of the Provincial Council and the House of Bishops.
The framework mandates all 39 dioceses to adopt environmentally friendly practices, enhance climate change awareness, and develop church-specific disaster preparedness and response strategies.
As part of this initiative, clergy members are directed to incorporate environmental conservation messages into sermons, educating congregants on climate change and the negative impact of polythene bags on soil and ecosystems.
Additionally, each diocese must establish an Environmental Protection Coordination Taskforce, appoint focal persons at the diocesan and parish levels, and encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on firewood for cooking.
Launching the framework, Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu called on bishops to collaborate with government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to achieve the framework’s objectives.
