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Citizen Posts
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By Mike Rwothomio
The Alur Kingdom has postponed the 19th Enthronement Anniversary of His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, originally scheduled for May 19, 2026, at Kaal Atyak Palace in Zombo District, West Nile.
The decision aligns with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s directive to postpone the June 3 Martyrs’ Day celebrations as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
President Museveni announced the postponement after consultations with the national epidemic response task force and religious leaders. He noted that Uganda annually receives thousands of pilgrims from Eastern Congo, where an Ebola outbreak is active.
“To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” the President stated. He encouraged those already traveling to return home, observe precautionary measures, report anyone who is sick, and seek medical care promptly, while regretting any inconvenience caused, emphasizing that the protection of life comes first.
Alur Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Opar Angala issued an urgent notice on Monday, May 18, 2026, informing Ker Alur chiefs, invited guests, and the general public of the postponement.
“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 Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the 19th Cultural Enthronement Anniversary celebrations of Rwoth Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III which was scheduled to take place in Kaal Atyak Winam tomorrow has been postponed,” the statement read in part.
Opar added that a new date would be announced once the presidential directive is lifted.
He urged all Alur people in Uganda and the DRC to comply with the directive and follow Ministry of Health advice on Ebola prevention, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Contributions for the royal occasion should continue as planned, providing more time for those who had not yet responded.
The Alur Kingdom, whose subjects number in the millions, spans 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and 8 in the DRC. Its communities frequently interact through trade, social gatherings, cultural events, and free movement across porous borders in Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach districts, heightening the risk of disease spread.
According to the World Health Organization, Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a severe, often fatal form of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus (Orth ebolavirus genus, Filoviridae family). The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals such as fruit bats and spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials
Symptoms can appear suddenly and initially include Fever, Fatigue , Malaise ,Muscle pain ,Headache and Sore throat often followed by Vomiting, Diarhoea , Abdominal pain , Rash
Symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function
As of May 16, 2026, WHO reported eight confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province, DRC (affecting Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu health zones). Uganda has confirmed two cases, including one death, in Kampala among travelers from the DRC.
The agency has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to risks including unusual community deaths, infections among healthcare workers, weak infection control, high population movement, and insecurity. No approved vaccines or treatments exist specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease.
The annual Alur enthronement anniversary, observed every May 19 since Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III’s ascension in 2006, is the Kingdom’s most significant cultural event. It draws participants from Greater Nebbi districts, northeastern DRC, and the diaspora to celebrate Alur culture, pay homage to the Ubimu, and receive ancestral blessings.
His Majesty, the 33rd king of the Alur people, was culturally enthroned in 2006 and formally coronated on October 30, 2010, at the Lei cultural site in Nebbi District, with President Museveni as chief guest. The Kingdom plays a key role in cultural preservation and community development.
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