President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has postponed this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations over fears of a possible spread of Ebola into Uganda from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement addressed to Ugandans, particularly the youth commonly referred to as the “Bazzukulu,” Museveni said the decision followed consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders.
The President said the annual religious event, which attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims from across East and Central Africa, would be rescheduled to a later date that will be communicated by government.
“Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims annually from Eastern Congo, which is currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak. To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” Museveni said.
The move marks one of the most significant public health interventions affecting the Martyrs’ Day celebrations in recent years. The June 3 commemorations held at the Uganda Martyrs Shrines in Namugongo attract massive crowds of Catholic and Anglican faithful, with many pilgrims trekking for days and weeks from neighbouring countries, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan.
Government officials have in recent weeks heightened surveillance at border entry points amid concerns over the Ebola outbreak in Eastern Congo, a region that has previously recorded cross-border infections into Uganda.
Museveni urged pilgrims who had already begun travelling to immediately return home and continue observing health precautionary measures aimed at containing the deadly virus.
“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 said.
The President acknowledged that the postponement would inconvenience thousands of believers and businesses that benefit from the annual pilgrimage economy but insisted that saving lives remained the government’s top priority.
“We regret any inconvenience caused, but the protection of life must come first,” Museveni added.
The postponement is expected to affect transport operators, hotels, vendors and religious tourism activities that usually witness a major economic boost during the Martyrs’ Day season.
Health authorities are expected to issue further guidance on public gatherings and disease prevention measures as the country intensifies monitoring efforts along its western borders.
