What was expected to be one of the biggest religious gatherings in Uganda this year has become a test of faith, resilience, and obedience for the Catholic faithful in Kasese Diocese. For months, the Diocese of Kasese had been preparing to animate the national Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations scheduled for June 3 at Namugongo Catholic Shrine.
Committees had been formed, pilgrims mobilised, and plans finalised for thousands of worshippers expected to gather at the historic shrine. But the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda compelled government and church leaders to cancel the national celebrations, bringing preparations to an abrupt halt.
Despite the disappointment, church leaders in Kasese say the faithful will still commemorate the Uganda Martyrs in a meaningful way through parish-level celebrations across the diocese. Speaking during a press briefing at the Perpetual Adoration compound in Kasese Town on Saturday, Bishop Francis Acquirinus Kibira Kambale of the Diocese of Kasese, said the cancellation was unfortunate but necessary to protect public health.
‘Last year in June, we were authorised by the chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference to prepare for the national celebrations of the Uganda Martyrs at Namugongo for this year, 3rd June 2026. We had reached the peak of our preparations. Unfortunately, due to the Ebola outbreak, the government postponed our celebrations,’ Bishop Kibira said.
The diocese, which comprises 14 parishes and two pastoral centres, had invested significant effort and resources into preparations. Many Christians were eagerly waiting for an opportunity to lead the national celebrations, an honour that rotates among dioceses across the country. According to Bishop Kibira, the decision to cancel the gathering followed guidance from the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
‘We had the guidance from the chairperson. He advised us to hold parish-level celebrations on 3rd June, following the usual format of Sunday Masses in parishes and outstations,’ Bishop Kibira explained. As a result, Catholics will gather in their local churches instead of travelling to Namugongo. Masses will be celebrated in areas where priests are present, while catechists will lead prayer services in locations without resident priests.
The decision reflects Church’s effort to balance spiritual obligations with public health concerns. The Ebola outbreak has continued to raise concern among health authorities. On May 14, 2026, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwiine, announced that an Ebola patient had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the centre of the outbreak and was admitted to Kibuli Hospital before he died.
By Saturday, Uganda had registered one imported Ebola-related death and seven confirmed cases, prompting the government to strengthen surveillance measures, including the closure of the Mpondwe-Lhubiriha border crossing in Kasese District. The outbreak has had a direct impact on pilgrimage activities.
Before the cancellation, more than 70 pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo had already arrived in Kasese on May 15. The pilgrims had been received at Kabuyiri Catholic Shrine and were preparing to begin their traditional foot pilgrimage to Namugongo.
For many believers, the cancellation was heartbreaking. Uganda Martyrs Day is one of the most significant events on the Catholic calendar, that attracts millions of pilgrims from Uganda and neighbouring countries. But Bishop Kibira urges Christians not to lose sight of the deeper meaning of the day. He said the commemoration should remain a moment for believers to reflect on the courage, sacrifice and faith demonstrated by the Uganda Martyrs.
The bishop encouraged Christians to use the day to strengthen their relationship with God and renew their commitment to Christian values. He said the day should help every believer to grow in faith, love for Christ, love for neighbours and commitment to their various vocations in life. He also appealed to Christians to remain vigilant and follow health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
‘In all our institutions, let us do our best by observing the recommended standard operating procedures as provided by the government through the Ministry of Health. I call upon you to listen and to follow the guidance of the parish priests and the government authorities in our different places regarding pastoral and health measures, respectively,’ Bishop Kibira said. He also called on Ugandans to continue praying for the country and particularly for health workers who are at the forefront of the Ebola response.
The cancellation has been particularly difficult for the organising committee, whose members had spent months preparing for the national event.
Rev Fr John Baptist Kule, the organising chairperson, described the announcement as a major shock. ‘We received the news with shock. I want to ask everyone to take courage because the Episcopal Conference has requested that we animate next year in June,’ Rev Fr Kule said. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic that the preparations already undertaken will not go to waste.
He encouraged contributors and supporters who had invested resources in the preparations to remain hopeful, saying the next celebration is only a year away. ‘In the meantime, the organising committee is going to evaluate our preparations, identify the gaps and improve where necessary,’ he said.
The announcement that Kasese Diocese would host the Uganda Martyrs celebrations had generated excitement throughout the region early this year. Local institutions had already started preparing for the occasion. According to Joseph Nzukwa, the head teacher of Kasese Secondary School, some of his students travelled to Namugongo to participate in the liturgy during the May 30 celebrations, despite the cancellation of the larger gathering. Meanwhile, government authorities continue to tighten border surveillance to prevent the further spread of Ebola.