By Laudato Voices
On July 9, 2025, the town of Bugembe – Jinja, Uganda, came alive with a joyful gathering of youth, faith leaders, and community partners during the Laudato Si Green Festival. Held under the theme “Sowing Seeds of Peace and Hope for Creation,” this year’s celebration marked a historic first—the inaugural Care for Creation Mass celebrated after Pope Leo’s historic open-air liturgy a week ago.
Organized by the Laudato Youth Initiative and hosted by the Laudato Si Club of Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S., the festival commemorated three key milestones:
1. The promulgation of a new Roman Missal formulary dedicated to the Care of Creation,
2. The Jubilee of the Youth and the ongoing Pilgrims of Green Hope campaign,
3. The 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on the environment.
While Green Masses have been a tradition for our festivals, this year’s liturgy was profoundly special. It was a also a celebration of the promulgation of a new Roman Missal formulary dedicated to the Care of Creation by Pope Leo who celebrated the first green Mass under the new promulgation on July 9th giving voice to the Church’s ecological mission, inspired by Pope Francis and now rooted in Uganda’s faith-filled youth. Hundreds of students and young adults participated in a symbolic “Green Walk”—a peaceful, vibrant procession from Holy Cross Parish in Bugembe to the festival grounds in Wanyange. With music, creative banners, and conversations along the way, participants turned their footsteps into a public call to ecological action.
The open-air Care for Creation Mass, presided over by Rev. Fr. Gerald Muto, Chancellor of the Jinja Diocese, was rich with African spirituality—eco-gifts from nature, carried in regenerative eco friendly bags, vibrant liturgical dance, and a youth-delivered Gospel in a Bible wrapped in banana leaves. In his homily, Fr. Muto urged all, especially the youth, to take personal responsibility for the environment:
“Let us plant trees, manage our waste, and become champions of change within our communities.”
He echoed Pope Francis’ warning:
“God can forgive, man can forgive — but nature does not forgive when it is tampered with.”
Throughout the day, students showcased eco-exhibitions with projects in:
• Plastic waste management and recycling
• Organic farming techniques
• Solar energy innovations
• Sustainable agriculture
These displays reflected the growing synergy between Uganda’s education reforms, faith-based values, and environmental sustainability.
Toward a National Movement
The Laudato Youth Initiative used the occasion to pledge expansion of the Laudato Si Green Festival beyond regional celebrations, with plans to engage:
• More schools and universities
• Churches and diocesan networks
• Organizations of goodwill
• Government agencies
The vision is bold: create Laudato Si Clubs in every corner of Uganda that mentor youth, promote climate literacy, and integrate faith with ecological responsibility. This is part of a larger effort to honor Pope Francis’ ecological legacy and root environmental action in prayer, service, and ecological education.
Key voices throughout the festival echoed the urgency and hope of the mission:
• Mr. Male Joseph, Guest of Honour, praised the festival for blending innovation and faith, encouraging deeper involvement with communities and cleaner environments.
• Fr. Prosper Atukwase, CSC, Headteacher of Holy Cross Lake View S.S.S., called for stronger collaborations between Church, government, and civil society.
• Ms. Immaculate Kisembo, Patron of the Laudato Si Club, emphasized:
“Involving students early is key to shaping a generation that values the environment. Our goal is to build a national culture of conservation.”
The Way Forward: From Jinja to the Nation
As Uganda prepares for the upcoming Season of Creation, the 2025 festival has ignited a new flame of youth-led, faith-rooted ecological advocacy. The Laudato Youth Initiative is moving boldly into Phase Two: National Expansion—and is actively seeking partners, donors, and collaborators to help scale this vision.
This growing movement is not just about the environment. It is about integral ecology—uniting the spiritual and ecological call of Uganda’s national motto:
For God and My Country.
• For God — the spiritual heritage of the Uganda Martyrs,
• My Country — a commitment to safeguard Uganda’s natural beauty, truly the Pearl of Africa.
Together, we continue sowing the seeds. Together, we prepare for the harvest of peace and hope.
