Gulu City Marathon organisers pledge bigger tourism impact

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Gulu City has officially launched the third edition of the Gulu City Marathon, with organisers targeting more than 3,000 participants as the annual event continues to position northern Uganda as a growing tourism and cultural destination.

The marathon was launched on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Gulu City Inn in Senior Quarters ward, Laroo-Pece division, in an event presided over by newly elected Gulu city mayor Julius Acire Labeja alongside regional and national organising committee members.

Organisers said the marathon has grown steadily over the past three years, evolving beyond a sporting event into a platform for promoting tourism, culture, community development and local business growth in the Acholi sub-region.

Francis Gimara, the national chairperson of the Gulu City Marathon, said the event was established to change perceptions about Gulu district and the wider Acholi sub-region, once associated with conflict but now increasingly recognised for culture, tourism and economic potential.

Francis Gimara together with the organizing committees of the 2026 Gulu City Marathon pose for a photo at the Gulu City Inn Hotel after launching the event. (Photo by David Magere)

He said this year’s marathon is scheduled for December 5, 2026, at Kaunda Grounds and will feature the usual categories of 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km races.

Gimara noted that the event has significantly boosted the local economy, especially the hospitality sector.

"For example, in the last edition last December, local hotels, restaurants, lodges and businesses made money totalling up to sh1.5 billion for the local economy," remarked Gimara.

He added that the marathon also serves as a community support initiative, with part of the proceeds channelled into social projects.

According to Gimara, 10 percent of proceeds from the 2024 inaugural edition, amounting to sh30 million, was donated to the Acholi Education Scheme, commonly known as “Dero Kwan”. Last year’s contribution of sh10 million was directed towards the construction of a youth skilling centre at Abole parish in Koro subcounty, Omoro district.

Bonita Mulelenge, the general manager of the marathon, said preparations are underway to ensure the city benefits from increased global attention during the event period.

Mulelenge said visitor expenditure injected more than sh1.5 billion into Gulu’s economy through business, trade and services during the previous edition. She attributed this growth to the increasing number of participants, which rose from 800 runners during the inaugural edition in 2024 to more than 2,000 participants last year.

She noted that the marathon theme remains “Running for Culture and Heritage”, adding that participation has grown by 150 percent over the last two years.

Mulelenge said the long-term objective is to promote tourism while celebrating the diverse culture of Gulu city, Acholi and northern Uganda.

Gulu city mayor Julius Acire Labeja said the city leadership had fully embraced the marathon because of its contribution to tourism, culture and economic growth.

Acire urged hotel owners, restaurant operators and other business people to prepare adequately for the influx of visitors expected during the event.

He also commended the Great North Run Company for conceptualising the marathon, saying it has inspired a growing culture of running while promoting health, social interaction and national unity.

Proceeds of the youth skilling centre delivered

During the same event, organisers handed over sh10 million, representing 10 percent of the proceeds from the 2025 marathon, to the Rotary Club of Kampala to support the construction of the Martin Aliker Youth Skilling Centre.

The project is being implemented under the stewardship of the Rotary Club of Kampala.

The donation was received by Jacqueline Ayuya Mukasa, the president of the Rotary Club of Kampala, who said groundwork for the project had already begun.

Mukasa said a needs assessment had been conducted with the local community and that partnerships were being pursued with companies and the Rotary Foundation Global Grant programme before construction begins.

The project is estimated to cost $1 million (about sh3.77 billion).