The Government of Uganda has postponed this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to a government statement dated 17th May 2026, the annual religious and national celebrations that were scheduled to take place on June 3 at Namugongo have been suspended as a precautionary measure to protect public health.
The decision was reportedly reached after consultations between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the national epidemic response task force, and religious leaders.
In the statement, President Museveni said the postponement was necessary to safeguard lives amid increased cross-border movement of pilgrims from Ebola-affected areas in eastern DRC.
“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,” the President stated.
Museveni explained that Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims every year from eastern Congo, where Ebola cases have reportedly been detected, making the large gathering a potential public health risk.
He emphasized that the protection of life remains the government’s top priority and urged Ugandans to continue observing preventive measures as authorities closely monitor the situation.
“To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” he added.
The President also appealed to pilgrims who had already begun traveling to return home safely and remain vigilant by observing health guidelines and reporting suspected Ebola symptoms to health authorities.
Government further expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to religious communities and pilgrims who had prepared for the annual commemoration.
Martyrs Day is one of Uganda’s biggest religious events, commemorating the 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II. The celebration annually attracts thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and across Africa to the Namugongo shrines.
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