President Museveni Postpones Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations Over Ebola Concerns

By Uganda Today Reporter

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has postponed this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, citing growing public health concerns linked to the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the President said the decision was reached after consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders from different denominations.

The annual Martyrs Day celebrations, held every June 3 at the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, attract millions of pilgrims from across East Africa and beyond.

Government Prioritizes Public Safety

President Museveni explained that Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims from Eastern Congo every year, making the celebrations vulnerable to cross-border transmission of Ebola.

“To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” Museveni said in the statement.

The President noted that a new date for the celebrations will be communicated later after health authorities assess the situation.

He also urged pilgrims who had already begun their journeys to return home and continue observing Ebola prevention guidelines.

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

Pilgrims Already on the Move

The postponement comes at a time when several groups of pilgrims had already started trekking to Namugongo from different parts of Uganda and neighboring countries.

Reports indicate that some pilgrims from Eastern Congo had already crossed into Uganda through border districts such as Kasese before the announcement was made. Health officials have since intensified screening and surveillance measures at border points.

Uganda Martyrs Day remains one of the largest religious gatherings in Africa, commemorating the 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II for refusing to renounce their faith.

Religious Leaders Back Decision

Several religious leaders are expected to support the postponement, emphasizing the importance of protecting lives while maintaining the spiritual significance of the commemoration.

Health experts have also warned that large gatherings could heighten the risk of spreading infectious diseases, especially with continued regional movement across borders.

The government has previously implemented strict health surveillance measures during Ebola outbreaks in the region.

National and Regional Significance

The Martyrs Day celebrations have over the years evolved into a major spiritual and tourism event, attracting pilgrims from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Last year, President Museveni directed that government funding for the celebrations be included annually in the national budget, underscoring the importance of the event to Uganda’s religious heritage.

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