KAMPALA – Police have appealed to Uganda Martyrs pilgrims to strictly observe Ebola prevention measures, in line with government directives aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly virus.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The appeal was issued by the Ugandan police spokesperson, ACP Rusoke Kituuma, on Sunday, June 1, 2026, while addressing journalists during a weekly security briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.
Following the continued escalation of the Ebola outbreak in the neighboring DRC, the government of Uganda directed that this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations be held at the parish level instead of the massive traditional congregations at the main shrines.
The Ministry of Health has since advised that all local Martyrs Day celebrations must strictly follow the Ministry’s standard operating procedures to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The Ministry’s key guidelines include avoiding physical contact with symptomatic individuals and contact with bodily fluids, washing hands regularly, reporting suspected cases immediately, and ensuring that sick people seek medical care.
ACP Rusoke told the press that the police have taken a pivotal role in enforcing the directives, ensuring compliance and preventing large gatherings that would have occurred without the Ebola threat.
He added that the officers are now embedded in Ebola response task forces at national, district, and sector levels, participating in both decision-making and the implementation of disease control measures.
“We are not merely enforcing restrictions; we are safeguarding lives. Every pilgrim kept at a safe distance, every hand sanitized, is a step toward ensuring that faith does not become a vector for tragedy,” Rusoke noted.
The police spokesperson said the public has so far largely complied with the restrictions, with security agencies actively enforcing movement controls in areas affected by cross-border measures.
Rusoke further confirmed that the enforcement activity is ongoing along the borderline where movement is restricted, with police participating alongside other stakeholders to ensure compliance.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly registered about 1,077 suspected Ebola cases and 246 deaths, while Uganda has confirmed seven cases and one death.
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