Kampala, Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced the postponement of this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations due to concerns over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a public statement issued, Museveni said the decision was reached after consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders, citing the risk posed by the large number of pilgrims who travel annually from the DRC to Uganda for the religious event.
“After consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders, we have decided to postpone the Martyrs’ Day to a later date, which will be communicated,” Museveni said.
According to the president, health authorities were particularly concerned about cross-border movement from eastern Congo, where Ebola cases continue to be reported.
“Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims annually from Eastern Congo, which is currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak. To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” Museveni stated.
Martyrs’ Day, observed every year on June 3 at the Namugongo Catholic and Anglican shrines near Kampala, is one of the largest religious gatherings in Africa. Millions of pilgrims from Uganda and neighboring countries including the DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Burundi usually attend the annual commemoration.
The event honors 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda.
The postponement comes amid heightened regional concern over Ebola transmission in eastern DRC, where health authorities and international agencies have been monitoring outbreaks in conflict-affected provinces.
Uganda shares a porous border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, making cross-border disease surveillance a major public health priority.
Uganda has previously experienced Ebola outbreaks linked to regional transmission. The country’s health system has over the years developed rapid response mechanisms, including border screening, isolation facilities, vaccination campaigns, and public awareness programs aimed at containing outbreaks.
The Ministry of Health has not yet announced additional nationwide restrictions but continues to encourage preventive measures and community vigilance.
President Museveni urged Ugandans and foreign pilgrims who had already started traveling to return home and continue following public health guidelines.
“I encourage those who had begun their journey to return home, continue observing the precautionary measures, report anyone who is sick, and encourage those who are ill to seek medical care,” he said.
He added that protecting lives remained the government’s top priority despite the disruption caused by postponing one of Uganda’s most significant religious events.
“We regret any inconvenience caused, but the protection of life must come first,” the president said.
Health experts say large gatherings such as Martyrs’ Day carry significant risks during Ebola outbreaks because the virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Symptoms of Ebola can include fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal or external bleeding. The disease has a high fatality rate if not detected and treated early.
The Ugandan government said a new date for the Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be communicated later after consultations with health authorities and religious leaders.
Meanwhile, border surveillance and epidemic preparedness efforts are expected to intensify as Uganda seeks to prevent any cross-border spread of the virus.
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain alert, follow health advisories, and report suspected Ebola cases immediately.
