Health 1 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Martyrs' Day to Proceed with Strict 200-Person Limit Due to Ebola Concerns
The Church of Uganda has received conditional approval from the Ministry of Health to hold a significantly scaled-down Uganda Martyrs' Day commemoration on June 3rd, limiting attendance to 200 invited individuals under stringent health protocols. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/church-of-uganda-cleared-for-limited-martyrs-day-prayers-under-strict-guidelines-5480748
The annual Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebration on June 3rd will see a departure from tradition this year, as the Anglican Church of Uganda has been granted permission by the Ministry of Health to conduct a limited service. This decision comes amidst the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, prompting stringent public health measures.
Under the approved guidelines, attendance at the Namugongo Anglican site will be strictly capped at 200 individuals. This number includes clergy, organizers, essential medical teams, and security personnel. Crucially, there will be no provision for walk-in worshippers, and all attendees must be pre-invited and accredited. This conditional clearance reflects the significance of the event while prioritizing the containment of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
Participants will be subject to rigorous screening, including temperature checks and hand hygiene verification, before being granted access. Anyone displaying symptoms or registering a high temperature will be denied entry and referred for immediate medical assessment. The Ministry of Health has also mandated that attendees remain seated, maintain physical distancing throughout the service, and disperse immediately afterward. Traditional practices involving handshakes or laying on of hands have been prohibited to minimize transmission risk.
The limited guest list comprises 11 bishops and their spouses, 16 VIPs, 40 staff and organizers from Uganda Christian University, 40 choir members, 20 medical personnel, and 20 police officers. Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu will preside over the service, which will focus on the theme “Christ Our Peace: Breaking the Walls, Healing the Nation.”
To ensure broader participation, the commemoration will be broadcast live, allowing Christians nationwide and internationally to join remotely. Church officials also plan to use the event as a platform to reinforce Ebola prevention messaging, emphasizing hand hygiene, prompt symptom reporting, and avoiding gatherings when unwell.