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The Ugandan government has officially postponed the 2026 Martyrs' Day celebrations and banned national pilgrimages to Namugongo following a serious outbreak of the Bundibogyo Ebola virus strain. President Yoweri Museveni directed all foot pilgrims who had already started their long journeys to halt their treks and immediately return home to prevent a public health disaster.
overview and status:
The Cause: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It involves the deadly Bundibugyo strain, which currently lacks any approved vaccine or specific drug treatment.
The Risk: Namugongo attracts over 700,000 pilgrims annually, including large numbers from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where the outbreak is severe. Massive, crowded gatherings present an extreme risk for rapid virus transmission.
Current Status at Namugongo: Large-scale national celebrations scheduled for June 3, 2026, were canceled. The Namugongo Catholic Shrine and Anglican sites have severely scaled down activities, restricting individual church masses to fewer than 200 people under strict health protocols.
Enforcement Measures: Security forces and the Uganda Police Force have closed the main gates of the shrines to block large crowds. Foot pilgrims intercepted en route are being turned back, and the church has provided transport fares for those stranded without money.
To contain the spread, the national epidemic task force has also instituted the following temporary emergency measures:
Border Closures: A suspension on all direct passenger flights and cross-border public transport (buses, ferries, and motorcycles) between Uganda and the DRC.
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