pressug.com News 24 7
Related Articles
Viewers: 3
By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced the postponement of this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations following fears of a possible Ebola outbreak in Uganda linked to the worsening situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement addressed to Ugandans, particularly the youth commonly referred to as the “Bazzukulu,” President Museveni said the decision was reached after consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders.
According to the President, Uganda receives thousands of pilgrims every year from Eastern Congo to participate in the annual Martyrs’ Day commemorations at the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, and allowing the event to proceed under the current circumstances would put lives at risk.
“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,” Museveni stated.
The President added that a new date for the celebrations will be communicated later after authorities assess the public health situation.
Museveni also appealed to pilgrims who had already started travelling to immediately return home and continue following all preventive health measures issued by the Ministry of Health.
“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,” he said.
The annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations, held every June 3rd, attract tens of thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and across the region, especially from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan. The event commemorates the 45 Ugandan Christian martyrs who were killed for their faith between 1885 and 1887.
Government officials have repeatedly warned about the danger posed by cross-border transmission of Ebola, especially due to the heavy movement of people between Uganda and Eastern Congo.
While expressing regret over the inconvenience caused by the postponement, Museveni emphasized that protecting lives must remain the country’s top priority.
“We regret any inconvenience caused, but the protection of life must come first,” the President noted.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/govt-postpones-martyrs-day-celebrations-over-ebola-threat-from-dr-congo/
