Parliament Bans Public Attendance at State of the Nation Address Over Ebola Fears

In a major move aimed at containing the spread of the newly declared Ebola outbreak, the Parliament of Uganda has officially prohibited public and guest attendance at the upcoming State of the Nation Address.

The directive, issued in a statement dated May 22, 2026, by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, confirms that the high-profile event will now operate under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The restrictions come only days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Ebola outbreak—driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain—a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. With confirmed imported cases already detected in Kampala following cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of Congo, government institutions are tightening preventive measures to avoid potential super-spreader events.

Under the new guidelines, the June 4, 2026 event at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds will have significantly reduced physical attendance.Only Members of the 12th Parliament and a limited number of essential parliamentary staff will be allowed to attend in person.

All invited dignitaries, diplomats, and guests have been formally advised not to appear physically, as Parliament has put in place arrangements to allow full virtual participation for all restricted attendees.

The latest containment measure comes shortly after the government’s decision to indefinitely suspend the annual June 3 Martyrs’ Day celebrations at Namugongo, an event that normally attracts millions of pilgrims from across the world.