Ebola Scare Hits Koffi Olomide Show as Uganda Blocks Entry From DRC

Ebola fears have forced the postponement of Congolese music star Koffi Olomide’s concert in Gulu City, Uganda, after health authorities restricted his entry into the country over concerns about cross-border movement from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Olomide and his band were scheduled to perform at Northern Pearl Hotel Garden in Gulu on Friday, October 9, as part of Uganda’s 64th Independence Day celebrations.

The concert was postponed after the Ministry of Health issued an advisory citing the ongoing Ebola-related travel concerns.

In a press release dated October 7, concert organisers OpenMic said the decision followed the Ministry of Health’s restriction on Olomide and his band entering Uganda from the DRC.

Organisers Apologise as Koffi Show Is Moved to New Date

OpenMic said the concert will be rescheduled once the government lifts the applicable travel advisory and Olomide and his team are cleared to travel to Uganda.

“The show is postponed — not cancelled,” the organisers said, assuring fans that tickets already purchased for the Gulu concert will remain valid for the new date.

OpenMic also apologised for the disruption, acknowledging the disappointment caused to fans, sponsors, partners, artists, service providers and residents of Gulu and Northern Uganda.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this unforeseen development,” the organisers said.

Also Read: Uganda Declared Ebola-Free After 42 Days Without a Single New Case

Organisers said the concert represented a major investment in entertainment, tourism and the creative economy of Northern Uganda, adding that they remained committed to bringing Olomide and his full band to Gulu once it is safe and legally possible.

Fans who have already bought tickets have been advised to keep them safely until a new concert date is announced. OpenMic said further updates will be shared through its official channels.

The decision by Ugandan authorities was linked to concerns over the expected movement of people across the Uganda-DRC border, with health officials warning of the potential risk of importing Ebola through the gathering.

Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, in a circular to the Chief Executive Officer of Opolacen Limited, trading as OpenMic, said the measure was a precaution targeting events likely to attract substantial cross-border movement and was not a general ban on public gatherings.

Koffi Expected in Kenya for Fred Obachi Machoka Celebration

Olomide is expected to arrive in Kenya to attend veteran journalist and broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka’s 50th anniversary celebration in the media industry on Saturday at Ulinzi Sports Ground.

Machoka, popularly known as Uncle Fred and The Blackest Man in Black Africa, is a legendary Kenyan radio and television broadcaster whose career has spanned five decades.

He has built a strong reputation for promoting Rhumba and Lingala music in East Africa, making Olomide’s expected appearance at the celebration particularly significant for fans of the Congolese music star and the genre.

Also Read: Fred Obachi Machoka Set to Retire After Five Decades on Air

Machoka’s 50-year career has made him one of Kenya’s best-known media personalities, with his work in radio and television spanning generations of audiences.

Olomide’s visit to Kenya comes as his Gulu concert remains on hold, with organisers saying the performance will be rescheduled once the travel restrictions linked to the Ebola advisory are lifted.

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veteran journalist and broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka. PHOTO/ Citizen