The Government of Uganda has postponed this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations following heightened fears over the Ebola outbreak currently spreading in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The annual religious event, held every June 3rd at the Namugongo shrines, attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Uganda and the wider region.
Authorities say the decision was reached after consultations between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the national epidemic response task force, and religious leaders.
In a statement issued on Sunday May 17th 2026, President Museveni said the postponement was necessary to protect lives amid increased cross-border movement from Ebola-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,” Museveni said.
The President explained that Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims annually from eastern DRC, where the outbreak has been reported, making the mass gathering a significant 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.
Museveni stressed that protecting lives remains the government’s top priority, urging citizens to continue observing preventive measures as health authorities monitor the evolving 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 travelling to Namugongo 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 already prepared for the annual commemoration.
“We regret any inconvenience caused, but the protection of life must come first,” Museveni said.
The postponement comes amid growing regional concern after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
Uganda Martyrs’ Day is one of Uganda’s biggest religious observances, held in remembrance of 45 Christian converts executed between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II. The annual pilgrimage to Namugongo draws tens of thousands of faithful from across Africa, making it one of the continent’s largest faith gatherings.