The Public Holidays in Uganda
Like many other recognized states, Uganda sets aside public holidays where public servants are exempted from work to celebrate a particular remembrance.
In addition to the following fixed public holidays, Uganda recognizes as holidays the Christian Good Friday and Easter Monday and the Muslim Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Adha, all of which generally fall in March, April, or June.
Expect any institutions that would be closed on a Sunday — banks and forex bureaux, for instance, or government and other offices — to also be closed on any public holiday. Still, most shops and other local services will function as expected. Public transport is typically more intermittent than usual on public holidays, but it still operates.
It doesn’t matter what holiday it is. Travel does not stop in Uganda, you can check into any hotel or safari camp, and Uganda Safari Holidays are operated as any other typical day.
The list of fixed public holidays includes;
- January 1, New Year’s Day
- January 26, NRM Liberation Day
- Feb 16, Archbishop Janani Luwum Day
- March 8, International Women’s Day
- April Easter Sunday & Monday
- May 1, Labour Day
- May 12/13 Eid al-Fitr, End of Ramadan
- June 3, Martyrs’ Day
- June 9, National Heroes’ Day
- July (19/20/21), Eid al-Fitr – Feast of Sacrifice
- October 9, Independence Day
- December 25, Christmas Day
- December 26, Boxing Day