Uganda Mark’s 37th Heroes Day in Scaled Down Ceremony  as Babalanda Calls for Renewed  National Commitment

Hon Minister Milly Babalanda/ Courtsey Photo

By Wilfred Arinda Nshekantebirwe

Kampala | June 9, 2026

Uganda  observed its 37th Heroes’ Day on 9th june in a sombre but purposeful ceremony held at State Lodge Nakasero, with the traditional mass public gathering shelved for the second time in recent years, this time in response to the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak gripping parts of the country.

The celebrations were moved to State Lodge Nakasero with attendance strictly capped at just 25 VIP guests, a decision announced by the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda, on June 4, as a preemptive measure to prevent the mass spread of the disease following reported outbreaks in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and subsequent warnings from global health authorities.

In a statement released via her X handle after the ceremony, Minister Babalanda delivered a wide-ranging address honouring both the historical and contemporary heroes who have defined Uganda’s national unity.

The Minister for the Presidency revealed that Heroes’ Day reminds Ugandans that their country’s progress was never handed to them on a silver platter, it was earned through sacrifice. She paid special tribute to the heroes of the NRM liberation struggle, crediting their dedication and the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni with rescuing Uganda from the political turmoil, economic collapse, and insecurity that characterised the period before 1986.

She highlighted the milestones achieved since then, pointing to the expansion of Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programmes, growth in healthcare infrastructure, improved life expectancy, and the transformation of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces from a liberation army into a professional force that contributes to regional and continental peace.

The Minister singled out Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for special recognition, citing his contributions to peace-keeping operations in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond.

Babalanda also paid tribute to the late Dr. Matthew Lukwiya, the Ugandan physician who sacrificed his life battling Uganda’s first Ebola outbreak, noting that his legacy continues to guide the country’s public health responses, a tribute that carried added weight given Uganda’s current battle with the Bundibugyo strain. Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that Uganda currently has 12 active Ebola cases, two recorded deaths, and five recoveries.

Civilian heroes also received recognition, with particular mention of the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya, whose bravery in speaking openly about his HIV/AIDS status helped break stigma during one of Uganda’s darkest public health periods, and Yvonne Namaganda, celebrated for her selfless actions during the Buddo School tragedy.

This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “Protecting the Gains as We Make a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” the same theme carried forward from President Museveni’s recent swearing-in and inaugural ceremonies following his re-election in January 2026.

Babalanda outlined the pillars underpinning Uganda’s economic ambitions, growing exports, tourism, industrialisation, the Parish Development Model, and the anticipated revenues from the oil and gas sector, as indicators that the country remains on course.

She closed with a direct call to action for every Ugandan citizen, urging the nation to reject corruption, waste, and dependency, and instead embrace accountability, innovation, productivity, and patriotism.

“The responsibility now rests upon all of us to emulate the spirit of our heroes by placing national interest above personal gain,” she said. “Let us choose service over self-interest, integrity over corruption, productivity over negativity, and patriotism over complacency.”

The rest of the country received the President’s message via the national broadcaster, UBC, and other broadcasters with national audiences, as Ugandans marked the day at home in observance of Ebola health guidelines.

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