The 19th anniversary celebrations marking the enthronement of His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III have been postponed by the Alur Kingdom as a precautionary measure following the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda.
The annual cultural event had been scheduled for May 19, 2026, at Kaal Atyak Palace in Zombo District, an area bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, where active Ebola cases have been reported.
The postponement follows a directive issued by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday, suspending Martyrs’ Day celebrations and other major public gatherings after consultations with the National Epidemic Response Task Force and religious leaders.
Alur Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala said the kingdom’s decision was taken in line with the presidential directive and aimed at preventing the possible spread of the disease through large gatherings and cross-border movement.
The anniversary celebration, which has been held annually since 2006, is among the kingdom’s major cultural events and usually attracts thousands of people from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the diaspora to honor the Alur King and celebrate cultural heritage.
The Alur Kingdom comprises 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and eight in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with frequent cross-border movement. interactions in districts such as Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach, which authorities fear could increase the risk of Ebola transmission.
The kingdom has urged its subjects and the general public to follow guidance issued by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization on Ebola prevention, including reporting suspected symptoms to health authorities. His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III was culturally enthroned in 2006 and officially coronated in 2010 in Nebbi District-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
