Organisers of the 2026 Namugongo Martyrs Day celebrations have announced that this year’s commemoration will be held on a limited scale, with the public encouraged to participate through television, radio, and online media platforms instead of attending physically at Namugongo.
The announcement was made during a news briefing held at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono.
According to Rev. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UCU and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, the decision follows government measures introduced to contain the Ebola outbreak, including restrictions on mass gatherings.
Rev. Prof. Kitayimbwa said there will be no pilgrimage to Namugongo this year, and Christians have instead been encouraged to join the prayers from their homes, churches, and through media broadcasts.
“There will be no pilgrimage to Namugongo this year due to the government directives aimed at controlling the spread of Ebola,” Rev. Prof. Kitayimbwa said.
“We encourage Christians to join us in prayer from their homes, churches, and through various media platforms.”
He noted that Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu’s Martyrs Day message will be delivered starting at 9:00 a.m.
Rev. Prof. Kitayimbwa further revealed that attendance at the main service will be strictly limited to fewer than 40 people in line with health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
He added that the choir has also been significantly reduced from approximately 600 singers to only 30 representatives drawn from different UCU campuses.
“Our attendance at the main service will be strictly limited to fewer than 40 people, and the choir has been reduced from about 600 members to only 30 representatives drawn from different university campuses,” he explained.
Meanwhile, UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, David Mugawe, said that despite the challenges faced in organising the annual celebrations, the committee managed to improve the Namugongo site using funds provided by the government, the university, and individual contributors.
The Bishop of Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alfred Olwa, announced that Namugongo would remain closed to pilgrims until conditions improve, emphasizing that protecting lives remains the top priority.
“Namugongo will remain closed to pilgrims for now because the safety and well-being of our people must come first,” Bishop Olwa said.
“Even those who would ordinarily come to collect holy water will not be allowed this year as we continue to prioritize the protection of lives.”
Rev. Prof. Kitayimbwa also disclosed that Uganda Christian University has once again been entrusted with organising and animating the Namugongo Martyrs Day celebrations in 2027. He expressed gratitude to the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda for the confidence placed in the institution.
Organisers further urged Christians across the country to observe the Martyrs Day celebrations responsibly by adhering to Ministry of Health guidelines while participating in prayers from their respective churches and homes.
The annual Namugongo Martyrs Day celebrations attract thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and across the world in remembrance of the Uganda Martyrs who were executed for their faith between 1885 and 1887.
