The government has clarified that Martyrs’ Day, observed annually on June 3, will remain a public holiday despite an earlier announcement by President Yoweri Museveni postponing this year’s celebrations due to Ebola concerns.
In a brief statement issued on Monday, the Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Alan Kasujja, confirmed that the date will still be recognised nationally under Uganda’s public holidays calendar.
“Martyrs' Day, observed on 3rd June, 2026 remains a Public Holiday,” Kasujja said.
The clarification follows a statement released by President Museveni on Sunday announcing the postponement of the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations after consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders.
“After consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders, we have decided to postpone the Martyrs' Day to a later date, which will be communicated,” President Museveni said.
The President explained that the decision was informed by the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, noting that Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims from the neighbouring country during the annual commemoration at Namugongo.
“This decision was made because Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims annually from Eastern Congo, which is currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak. To safeguard everyone's lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” he said.
Museveni further urged pilgrims who had already begun travelling to return home and continue observing preventive measures.
“I encourage those who had begun their journey to return home, continue observing the precautionary measures, report anyone who is sick, and encourage those who are ill to seek medical care,” the President added.
While the main religious celebrations, pilgrimages, and large gatherings have been postponed, Monday’s clarification confirms that June 3 will still remain an official national holiday.
Martyrs’ Day is one of Uganda’s most significant religious commemorations, honouring the 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II. The annual celebrations at Namugongo attract millions of pilgrims from Uganda, East Africa, and other parts of the world.