GOVERNMENT POSTPONES MARTYRS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS OVER EBOLA OUTBREAK CONCERNS

Bishops from various parts of the country gathered at Namugongo Martyrs shrine , June 3, 2025

By: editor

The Government has postponed this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations, one of Uganda’s largest annual religious events traditionally held on June 3 to honour the Uganda Martyrs.

The decision follows heightened public health concerns arising from an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The postponement was reached after consultations between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Epidemic Response Task Force, and religious leaders.

According to President Museveni, the move was necessary to protect lives amid increased cross-border movement of pilgrims from affected areas.

“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,” President Museveni said.

He noted that Uganda annually receives thousands of pilgrims, including many from eastern DRC, where Ebola cases have been reported, making the mass gathering a potential public health risk.

“This decision was made because Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims annually from Eastern Congo, which is currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak,” he said.

President Museveni emphasized that safeguarding lives remains the government’s top priority and urged citizens to continue observing preventive measures as authorities 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 started travelling for the celebrations to return home safely and remain vigilant.

“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 advised.

He further expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to religious communities and pilgrims who had prepared for the annual commemoration.

“We regret any inconvenience caused, but the protection of life must come first,” he said.

Martyrs’ Day is among Uganda’s most significant religious observances, commemorating 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II.

The annual event attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Africa to the Namugongo shrines, making it one of the region’s largest faith gatherings.