Museveni Urges Faithful to Emulate Martyrs’ Sacrifice and Total Surrender to God

By Skika Reporter.

President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni have extended Martyrs Day greetings to Ugandans, calling on citizens to emulate the Uganda Martyrs’ spirit of sacrifice, faith and total surrender to God while remaining vigilant against the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

In a message shared on his X account on Wednesday, President Museveni wished Ugandans a peaceful Martyrs Day despite the disruption of traditional celebrations caused by public health measures aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola.

“Fellow Countrymen, Countrywomen and especially the Bazzukulu, Maama Janet and I wish you all a happy and peaceful Martyrs Day, despite the unforeseen disruptions on account of the Ebola virus, which must be denied the opportunity to spread among the population,” the President said.

Museveni commended religious leaders, pilgrims and Christian faithful for their cooperation with government directives following the postponement of the annual mass gatherings at Namugongo.

The President praised believers for prioritizing public health and supporting efforts to contain the outbreak, noting that protecting lives remains a shared responsibility.

“May you continue to emulate the Martyrs’ example of sacrifice and total surrender to God,” he added.

The President’s message follows his May 17 announcement suspending the traditional Martyrs Day celebrations after consultations with health experts and religious leaders. Authorities cited concerns over the potential spread of Ebola, particularly due to increased cross-border movement from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where cases have been reported.

According to the Ministry of Health, six new Ebola cases were recently confirmed, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 15. Health officials reported that 12 patients were receiving treatment, two had recovered and been discharged, while one death had been recorded. A total of 668 contacts were under active monitoring as response efforts continued.

Observed annually on June 3, Martyrs Day commemorates the 45 Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda after refusing to renounce their faith.

The annual pilgrimage to the Anglican and Catholic shrines at Namugongo normally attracts millions of worshippers from Uganda and across East and Central Africa, making it one of the largest religious gatherings on the continent.

Health authorities have continued to urge the public to observe preventive measures, noting that Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons and poses a heightened risk in crowded settings.

Uganda has previously contained several Ebola and Marburg outbreaks through surveillance, contact tracing, isolation of patients and public awareness campaigns. Authorities say they remain on high alert as efforts to control the current outbreak continue.