Alur kingdom postpones enthronement anniversary over Ebola threat

The Alur kingdom has announced the postponement of the 19th enthronement anniversary of Phillip Olarker Ubimu Rauni III.

The event, which had originally been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Kaal Atyak in Zombo district, was postponed due to the threat posed by the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, with imported cases reported in Uganda.

The decision to postpone the anniversary closely follows President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to postpone the annual June 3 pilgrimage to Namugongo for the Martyrs Day celebrations.

The urgent notice of postponement to the Ker Alur chiefs, invited guests, and the public was announced by the Prime Minister of the kingdom, Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, on May 18, 2026.

“This is to inform all Ker Alur chiefs, invited guests and the general public that due to the directive issued by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday 17th May 2026 regarding the outbreak of Ebola Pandemic in the Eastern DR Congo, the 19th cultural enthronement anniversary celebrations of Rwoth Phillip Olarker Rauni III which was scheduled to take place in Kaal Atyak Winam tomorrow has been postponed,” the statement read in part.

According to Opar, a new date will be announced once the President lifts the directive aimed at containing the dangerous contagious disease.

He urged the people of Alur, Uganda and DR Congo to adhere to the directive and follow the Ministry of Health advisory in line with World Health Organization guidelines.

The Alur Kingdom, with millions of subjects, stretches across 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and eight chiefdoms in DR Congo, making it highly vulnerable in terms of combating outbreaks because of the free movement and gathering of people across the two countries.