The Government has postponed this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations, a major annual religious and national event held on June 3 in honour of the Uganda Martyrs.
This follows heightened public health concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak in neighbouring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The decision was reached after consultations between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Epidemic Response Task Force, and religious leaders.
According to the President, the postponement was necessary to safeguard 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 explained that Uganda continues to receive thousands of pilgrims annually, including from eastern DRC, where Ebola has 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 noted.
President Museveni emphasized that the protection of life remains paramount, urging citizens to adhere to preventive measures as government monitors the situation.
“To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” he said.
He further called on pilgrims who had already begun their journey 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.
The President also 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 added.
Martyrs’ Day is one of Uganda’s most significant religious observances, held in remembrance of 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II.
The event traditionally attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Africa to the Namugongo shrines, making it one of the largest faith gatherings in the region.