Gov’t Clarifies on Suspension of 2026 Martyrs Day Celebrations

Whereas President Yoweri Museveni has suspended 2026 Martyrs’ Day celebrations over the outbreak of Ebola epidemic in Bundibugyo district and the neighboring districts, the day remains a recognized Public Holiday.

The clarification came today, Monday 18th May, 2026 from the Uganda Media Centre and signed off by Allan Kasujja, the Centre’s ED.

“While the celebrations have been postponed as a precautionary measure, the day remains a recognised national holiday,” says Kasujja.

Martyrs day

In his statement dated May 17,2026, addressed to Ugandans, particularly the “Bazzukulu,” Museveni said the decision followed consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders.

“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 stated.

The President noted that Uganda annually hosts thousands of pilgrims from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an area currently battling an Ebola outbreak, making large religious gatherings 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. To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” Museveni explained.

He challenged pilgrims who had already began travelling to return home and continue observing preventive measures, including reporting suspected cases and encouraging the sick to seek medical attention.

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

The suspension comes amid heightened vigilance by health authorities following confirmation of a new Ebola outbreak in Uganda linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain. The Ministry of Health confirmed the outbreak in mid-May after a positive posthumous test involving a patient in Kampala.

On Friday evening May 15,2026, President Museveni also revealed that he had convened a meeting with the national epidemics task force at Nakasero State Lodge to assess the situation.

“This evening, I met the task force on epidemics in Nakasero. We discussed the Ebola situation in the region, and we will communicate the way forward. There is no cause for alarm,” President Museveni posted on his X account.

Meanwhile, Martyrs’ Day is celebrated every year on June 3 at Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine and it attracts thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and across the region.