From left to right: Bishop Dr. Benson Bagonza, Sheikh Hasan Kabeke, Dr. Juma Mohamed Salum, Patricia Mwakenda (representing the Permanent Secretary of ELCT), and Dickson Shekivule of Dan Mission East Africa
By Mutayoba Arbogast
The second meeting of the Uwakili Interfaith Forum (UIF), aimed at fostering peaceful dialogue with government authorities on the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, is currently underway in Bukoba, Kagera region. The two-day event, taking place at ELCT Hotel, began on October 8, 2024, bringing together leaders from various religious communities across the country.
The UIF, sponsored by Dan Mission's East Africa Regional Office, plays a key role in resolving conflicts related to natural resource use at both social and national levels. This meeting follows the first one held in Mwanza on May 2-3, 2024, where Bishop Dr. Alex Malasusa was elected as chairperson, with Sheikh Hasani Kabete, the Mwanza regional sheikh, serving as co-chairperson.
The platform includes religious leaders from various faiths, including Muslims, Catholics, Mennonites, the Africa Inland Church, and six dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), which represent key areas of implementation of the stewardship project. These dioceses include Karagwe, North West, East of Lake Victoria, South East of Lake Victoria, Mara Region, and the Diocese of East and Coast.
Bishop Dr. Benson Bagonza of the ELCT Karagwe Diocese shed light on the meaning of "Uwakili," explaining that it refers not to a legal concept but to the responsibility of caring for the natural resources granted by God for the benefit of both current and future generations. "God created resources before creating humanity. These resources can exist without us, but we cannot survive without them," Bishop Bagonza remarked, underlining the urgency of environmental stewardship.
Co-chairperson Sheikh Hasani Kabete echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that resources such as water, forests, and land are an inheritance meant to be passed down to future generations. He called for a collective effort to safeguard these precious resources, highlighting the moral obligation shared across religious communities.
In a speech delivered by Dr. Juma Mohamed Salum on behalf of the Secretary General of the Office of the Vice President for Union and Environment, Engineer Cyprian Luhemeja, the UIF platform was lauded for its contributions to collecting critical data and addressing environmental challenges. The speech noted that these challenges often stem from a lack of ethics, driven by various cultural and religious factors, including the influence of foreign religions such as Christianity and Islam.
"Through the Uwakili project, this platform will help lay solid foundations and effective strategies to inspire innovation and promote sustainable management of environmental resources," Dr. Juma said, emphasizing the importance of joint action.
The speech also highlighted the pressing environmental issues facing the country, including land degradation, habitat loss, deforestation, land conflicts, floods, and landslides. The government, according to Engineer Luhemeja, is actively addressing these challenges by ratifying key international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which aim to bring about positive change.
Throughout the two-day forum, participants are engaging in discussions on various aspects of environmental conservation, including capacity building on policies, regulations, and strategies related to natural resources. Other key topics include the role of traditional relations and religious perspectives in environmental protection, as well as participatory approaches to managing natural resource conflicts.
The forum provides an opportunity for participants to contribute their insights and recommendations, fostering collaboration between religious communities, government authorities, and other stakeholders in the pursuit of sustainable environmental management.
As the UIF continues to grow, it serves as a vital platform for promoting ethical and sustainable practices, reinforcing the shared responsibility of preserving the natural world for future generations.