Health 16 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ebola Fears Halt Congolese Pilgrims' Journey to Uganda Martyrs' Day
Seventy foot pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo are awaiting Ebola screening in Kasese, Uganda, after their journey to the annual Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations was temporarily suspended due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ebola-fate-of-70-congolese-foot-pilgrims-hang-in-balance-5462130
A group of 70 Congolese foot pilgrims en route to Uganda’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations have had their pilgrimage suspended pending mandatory Ebola screening. The pilgrims, who arrived from the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in Eastern DRC, are currently being hosted at St Michael Church-Kabuyiri in Kasese, near the border.
This measure comes in response to the recent Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has reportedly claimed at least 80 lives, and an imported case confirmed in Uganda. Surveillance teams from the Kasese District health department have been dispatched to screen the pilgrims, who were initially cleared under normal border health procedures before the outbreak was officially announced.
Health officials are hopeful that if the pilgrims show no visible symptoms, they will be cleared to continue their journey to Namugongo. The organizing committee has mobilized over 250 health workers and has two ambulances on standby to support pilgrims throughout the celebrations. Pilgrims from Kasese Diocese will also undergo medical screening before their official departure on May 19th.
The Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease involving a Congolese national who died in Uganda recently. Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated objects.