Government has announced that this year’s Heroes’ Day celebrations will be held under strict restrictions, with only 25 invited guests expected to attend the national commemoration.
The 37th Heroes’ Day Anniversary, scheduled for 9 June 2026, will be held at State House Entebbe in a “scientific” format, as Uganda continues to enforce strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola.
Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, said the decision to limit attendance was taken as a precautionary measure to safeguard public health.
“Fellow Ugandans, on 9th June 2026, Uganda is scheduled to hold celebrations marking the 37th Heroes’ Day Anniversary at State House Entebbe in a scientific manner. This means there will be no public gathering at a large venue as has been the case in previous years due to strict SOPs in place,” Babalanda said.
She noted that the timing of the celebrations, coming just six days after Uganda Martyrs’ Day on 3 June, also made it difficult to host large public gatherings.
“As you may notice, Heroes’ Day falls only six days after Uganda Martyrs’ Day. It thus makes sense that it may not be possible to congregate large numbers of Ugandans at Kololo on 9th June 2026,” she added.
Babalanda said the event, held under the theme “Protecting the Gains as we make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” will be officiated by President Yoweri Museveni and attended by fewer than 25 carefully selected guests drawn from the three arms of government, religious leaders, and representatives of the Luwero Triangle Veterans Association.
She added that the rest of the country will follow the President’s address through the national broadcaster and other media platforms with nationwide reach.
Babalanda further noted that prayers will be held across the country to mark the day.
