For the first time in three years, Uganda today commemorates its 37th Heroes' Day "scientifically." The traditional pomp, mammoth crowds, military parades, medal-awarding ceremonies, and rotational district hosted celebrations have been shelved. Instead, the country marks the day under a cloud of health anxiety and intensifying political debate.
The abrupt shift follows a recent spike in Ebola cases, mirroring the dark days of the Covid-19 pandemic when the 2020, 2021, and 2022 anniversaries were forced into strict, socially distanced setups at the Kololo National Ceremonial Grounds.