Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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The Church of Uganda has been granted conditional approval to hold this year’s Martyrs’ Day prayers at Namugongo Anglican Shrine, but under strict public health guidelines and with a heavily reduced number of participants due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The approval allows a limited physical service on June 3, but the event will be highly controlled to prevent any possible spread of the virus, especially in high-risk areas.
Only 200 invited participants allowed.
According to the Ministry of Health guidelines, the service will host a maximum of 200 invited guests, including clergy, organizers, security personnel, choir members, medical teams, and selected dignitaries.
Attendance will be strictly by invitation and accreditation, meaning no walk-in worshippers will be allowed at the site.
Authorities emphasized that the decision follows a detailed risk assessment linked to the ongoing response to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which has prompted restrictions on mass gatherings.
•Participants will be required to undergo temperature screening and hand hygiene checks before entering the shrine.
•Anyone showing symptoms or registering a temperature above 38°C will be denied entry and referred for medical attention.
In addition, the Ministry of Health has imposed strict conduct rules during the service, including:
•Mandatory physical distancing
•No handshakes or physical contact
•No laying on of hands during prayers
•All participants must remain seated throughout the service
•Immediate dispersal after prayers
•Church and government coordination
The clearance follows consultations between the Church of Uganda, led by Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, and the Ministry of Health.
A letter dated May 29, 2026, from Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine confirmed approval, stressing that Uganda is still managing an Ebola outbreak that has already led to confirmed cases in the country following transmission concerns from neighbouring DRC.
Officials noted that mass gatherings in high-risk districts had been suspended unless special permission was granted after risk assessment.
Church officials confirmed that the event will be led by Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu as chief celebrant, with Bishop Jackson Baalwa assisting in the liturgy.
Uganda Christian University chaplaincy teams and selected choirs will also participate in the service, which will be broadcast live to enable Christians across the country and abroad to join remotely.
The service will also be used to promote Ebola awareness and prevention messages, including hygiene practices, early reporting of symptoms, and avoiding unnecessary public gatherings.
Uganda has tightened public health measures following an Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which has affected both Uganda and parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
These developments led authorities to restrict or cancel large-scale religious gatherings, including the traditional Martyrs’ Day pilgrimage that usually attracts thousands of worshippers from across the region.
While Martyrs’ Day remains one of Uganda’s most significant religious commemorations, this year’s observance will be a controlled, limited, and health-guided service, reflecting the balance between spiritual tradition and public safety.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
The approval allows a limited physical service on June 3, but the event will be highly controlled to prevent any possible spread of the virus, especially in high-risk areas.
Only 200 invited participants allowed.
According to the Ministry of Health guidelines, the service will host a maximum of 200 invited guests, including clergy, organizers, security personnel, choir members, medical teams, and selected dignitaries.
Attendance will be strictly by invitation and accreditation, meaning no walk-in worshippers will be allowed at the site.
Authorities emphasized that the decision follows a detailed risk assessment linked to the ongoing response to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which has prompted restrictions on mass gatherings.
•Participants will be required to undergo temperature screening and hand hygiene checks before entering the shrine.
•Anyone showing symptoms or registering a temperature above 38°C will be denied entry and referred for medical attention.
In addition, the Ministry of Health has imposed strict conduct rules during the service, including:
•Mandatory physical distancing
•No handshakes or physical contact
•No laying on of hands during prayers
•All participants must remain seated throughout the service
•Immediate dispersal after prayers
•Church and government coordination
The clearance follows consultations between the Church of Uganda, led by Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, and the Ministry of Health.
A letter dated May 29, 2026, from Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine confirmed approval, stressing that Uganda is still managing an Ebola outbreak that has already led to confirmed cases in the country following transmission concerns from neighbouring DRC.
Officials noted that mass gatherings in high-risk districts had been suspended unless special permission was granted after risk assessment.
Church officials confirmed that the event will be led by Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu as chief celebrant, with Bishop Jackson Baalwa assisting in the liturgy.
Uganda Christian University chaplaincy teams and selected choirs will also participate in the service, which will be broadcast live to enable Christians across the country and abroad to join remotely.
The service will also be used to promote Ebola awareness and prevention messages, including hygiene practices, early reporting of symptoms, and avoiding unnecessary public gatherings.
Uganda has tightened public health measures following an Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which has affected both Uganda and parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
These developments led authorities to restrict or cancel large-scale religious gatherings, including the traditional Martyrs’ Day pilgrimage that usually attracts thousands of worshippers from across the region.
While Martyrs’ Day remains one of Uganda’s most significant religious commemorations, this year’s observance will be a controlled, limited, and health-guided service, reflecting the balance between spiritual tradition and public safety.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
