Diocese of Kasese will animate the 2027 Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine following the suspension of this year’s celebrations due to the Ebola outbreak, the Uganda Episcopal Conference has announced.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Uganda Episcopal Conference said the annual national Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, which had been scheduled for June 3, 2026, will not take place as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The Conference noted that the decision follows guidance earlier issued on May 18, 2026, regarding measures to safeguard public health amid the outbreak.
According to the statement, this year’s Uganda Martyrs commemoration will instead be held in local churches under the guidance of respective Diocesan Bishops and in consultation with relevant government authorities.
Church leaders across the country have been urged to strictly observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Health regarding religious gatherings to minimize the risk of infections.
The press release, signed by Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa, called upon Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to continue praying for the nation, health workers, and persons affected by the Ebola outbreak.
Uganda Martyrs Day is one of the country’s largest annual religious events, attracting thousands of pilgrims from across Uganda and neighboring countries to commemorate the faith and sacrifice of the Uganda Martyrs at Namugongo.
