Uganda will mark its 37th Heroes’ Day Anniversary on 9 June 2026 in a scaled-down, “scientific” format at State House Entebbe, as the government tightens public health measures in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
Minister in charge of the Presidency Milly Babalanda announced the changes on Thursday during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, saying the decision has been guided by strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing further spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
She said the annual national commemoration will not feature the usual large public gathering at Kololo Independence Grounds, marking a significant shift from previous editions.
“This morning, I held a press briefing at Uganda’s Media Centre regarding the 37th Heroes’ celebrations arrangements,” Babalanda said, noting that the event will instead be conducted in a controlled environment at State House Entebbe.
According to the minister, the decision follows heightened public health concerns linked to Ebola cases reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that regularly sends pilgrims and visitors to Uganda for major religious and national events.
She referenced the government’s earlier decision on 16 May 2026 to postpone the annual Uganda Martyrs’ pilgrimage, citing risks associated with cross-border movement from affected areas.
The situation, she added, was further complicated when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026.
Babalanda explained that the proximity of national events has also influenced the adjustment, noting that Heroes’ Day comes just days after Uganda Martyrs’ Day on 3 June.
“It thus makes sense to assume that it may not be possible to congregate Ugandans at Kololo on 9th June 2026,” she said.
The commemorations will retain the national theme from the recent presidential swearing-in ceremony: “Protecting the Gains as we make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.”
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the event at State House Entebbe, accompanied by fewer than 25 invited guests drawn from the three arms of government, religious leaders, and representatives of the Luwero Triangle Veteran Association.
The rest of the public will follow proceedings through live broadcasts on the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and other national media outlets.
In a further nationwide arrangement, the government has designated three days of thanksgiving prayers ahead of the celebrations. Muslims will hold prayers on Friday 5 June, Seventh Day Adventist congregations on Saturday 6 June, and other Christian denominations on Sunday 7 June.
Babalanda urged Ugandans to participate in the prayers in their respective places of worship, describing them as part of national reflection during a sensitive public health period.
At the same time, the minister said the government has not yet confirmed whether any foreign dignitaries will attend the commemorations, adding that updates will be communicated as arrangements develop.
She also issued a renewed call for strict adherence to Ebola prevention guidelines, including regular handwashing, use of sanitizers, and avoidance of contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
“The Heroes’ Day remains a public holiday,” she emphasized, reassuring citizens that the national observance will proceed despite the adjusted format.
The announcement signals a continued shift in Uganda’s public event management, balancing national traditions with evolving health risks linked to the regional Ebola outbreak.