The President, exercising his constitutional powers, has postponed this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations following growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a development that has heightened fears of possible cross-border transmission into Uganda.

Uganda Martyrs Day, commemorated every 3rd June, remains one of the largest religious gatherings in Africa, attracting millions of pilgrims from Uganda, East Africa, Europe, America, and other parts of the world to the Anglican and Catholic shrines at Namugongo.

In a statement issued by the Presidential Press Unit and signed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Head of State said the decision to postpone this year’s celebrations followed consultations with the National Epidemic Response Task Force and religious leaders, noting that protection of life must remain the country’s top priority.

The president explained that Uganda annually receives thousands of pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries during the Martyrs Day celebrations, creating a high risk of disease transmission at a time when Ebola cases continue to rise in the region.

He further urged pilgrims who had already started their journeys to return home, continue observing preventive health measures, report suspected illnesses, and encourage those feeling unwell to seek immediate medical attention. Government said a new date for the celebrations will be communicated later.

Meanwhile, this year’s Anglican celebrations were expected to be led by Uganda Christian University, while the Catholic celebrations were to be hosted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasese.

Preparations had already intensified at both sites, with organizers carrying out renovations and improvements aimed at accommodating the large numbers of expected pilgrims.

During the National Organizing Committee meeting held on 14th May, officials revealed that more than 1,900 pilgrims were expected from the Democratic Republic of Congo alone, alongside thousands of others from across East Africa and beyond.

At the Anglican site, Uganda Christian University had already prioritized sanitation, health, accessibility, and beautification works, including construction of modern toilets, renovation of walkways, installation of solar lighting, and improvement of surrounding facilities.

The postponement follows fresh concerns raised by the World Health Organization regarding the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain currently affecting eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda.

According to the World Health Organization, by 15th May, a total of 246 suspected Ebola cases and 80 deaths had been reported. Health officials also confirmed that several contacts linked to infected persons became symptomatic and died before they could be isolated.

WHO further noted that most suspected cases involve people between the ages of 20 and 39, with women accounting for more than sixty percent of infections, a trend associated with household caregiving and close-contact transmission.

The organization warned that insecurity in the affected areas and restrictions on movement continue to undermine surveillance, contact tracing, and follow-up efforts.

Health experts have also expressed concern over Ituri Province in eastern DRC, describing it as a major commercial and migratory hub whose proximity to Uganda and South Sudan increases the risk of regional spread and cross-border transmission.

The postponement of the Martyrs Day celebrations now marks one of the most significant public health precautionary measures taken by Uganda in recent years concerning national religious gatherings.

While many pilgrims and organizers had already begun preparations for the annual spiritual commemoration, both government and church leaders maintain that safeguarding human life must take precedence over all other considerations.

Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, observe health guidelines, and cooperate with surveillance teams as the country strengthens efforts to prevent any possible spread of Ebola into Uganda.

However, despite the postponement of the celebrations, the Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Allan Kasijja, clarified that 3rd June will remain a public holiday this year.