KAMPALA, Uganda — Showing how serious the situation has become, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) has officially cancelled the national celebration of Uganda Martyrs’ Day at the Namugongo Shrine amid the public health emergency facing East Africa due to the Ebola crisis. The decision, announced on May 26, 2026, comes as the Ebola outbreak, specifically the rare Bundibugyo strain, escalates across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and begins to seep into Uganda.
The annual pilgrimage, which draws millions of faithful from across the continent to honor the 45 Catholic and Anglican martyrs executed in the late 19th century, was initially postponed but has now been moved to local churches. “To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” stated President Yoweri Museveni, echoing the Church’s “consistent ethic of life”.
A Compassionate Response to the Bundibugyo Strain
The current outbreak, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026, is particularly challenging because the Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or treatment. With over 50 confirmed cases and nearly 140 suspected deaths reported in the region, the Church has stepped into its role as a “field hospital,” prioritizing the safety of the domestic church over large-scale public gatherings.
Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, Chairman of the UEC, emphasized that while the national gathering is cancelled, the “profound witness of faith” remains. “This year’s commemoration shall be held at local churches under the guidance of the respective Diocesan Bishops,” he stated, calling for prayers for health workers and those affected by the virus.
| Uganda Martyrs’ Day 2026 | Crisis Response Details |
| National Event | Cancelled at Namugongo Shrine (Originally June 3). |
| Local Observance | Moved to parishes and dioceses under strict health protocols. |
| Health Crisis | Ebola Bundibugyo strain (No approved vaccine/treatment). |
| Border Status | Temporary closure of Uganda-DRC border for non-essential travel. |
| Church Role | Mobilizing through CAFOD and CRS for emergency relief. |
The Hidden Chapter of the Namugongo Martyrs
The cancellation of the pilgrimage marks a rare and serious moment in the history of the Namugongo Shrine. This sacred site is where 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts were killed between 1885 and 1887 because they refused to give up their faith.
These martyrs, including St. Charles Lwanga and St. Matthias Mulumba, are remembered for their courage, deep faith, and strong commitment to Christian values.
The Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) has warned that the Ebola outbreak “must not become another forgotten African tragedy.” Catholic aid agencies, including CAFOD and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), have committed emergency funding to strengthen Church networks in remote and conflict-affected areas, where poverty often hinder government health responses.
A “Call to Communion” in Isolation
As the border with the DRC remains closed to minimize cross-border infections, the Church in Uganda is fostering a “civilization of love” through digital and local means. The Diocese of Kasese, which was set to animate the national celebrations, will retain its responsibility for the next gathering.
In his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that technology and science must always serve humans. In the Ebola crisis, this means using every available resource to protect those most at risk, while keeping the faith alive through prayer and support within local communities.
Spiritual Resolution
As we join our brothers and sisters in Uganda in honoring the martyrs from afar, let us resolve to renew our own witness of courage. Let us resolve to:
- The Sacrament of Confession: To seek the “healing of the soul” as we pray for the “healing of the body” for those afflicted by the Ebola virus.
- Eucharistic Adoration: To pray specifically for the health workers in Uganda and the DRC, that they may be “missionary agents” of God’s mercy and protection.
- The Holy Rosary: To entrust the nation of Uganda to the maternal protection of Mary, the “Help of Christians,” seeking an end to the outbreak and the “conversion of hearts” toward global solidarity.
- The Holy Mass: To offer our participation for the “repose of the souls” of those who have died from Ebola and for the “strength of the faithful” who must celebrate Martyrs’ Day in isolation.
- Sacred Scripture: To meditate on the words of the Uganda Martyrs: “A well that has many sources never runs dry; when we are gone, others will come after us,” seeking to live with the same “holy audacity.”
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