Gulu City marathon to celebrate northern Uganda’s resilience after conflict

The organisers of the upcoming Gulu City Marathon have said the annual sporting event is evolving into more than just a race, describing it as a celebration of resilience, recovery, tourism, and economic transformation in northern Uganda.

Speaking during the official launch of the marathon in Gulu, national chairman of the Gulu City Marathon, Francis Gimara, said the event was created to tell the story of how the region has bounced back from decades of conflict.

“This marathon comes in order to celebrate the resilience, the human spirit, and Gulu and the neighboring areas have had conflict in the past, but the resilience of this place and the fact that today we have a city that is lively is something we thought the world needed to see,” Gimara said.

Gimara reflected on the years during the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency when traveling from Karuma to Gulu required military convoy escorts because of insecurity.

“There was a point where you had to wait for a convoy and you travelled in silence because you were not sure you would arrive at your destination,” he recalled.

“Today, many people who come to Gulu say they want to come back because it is unbelievable how much the city has bounced back,” he added.

Gimara said the marathon symbolizes the journey of overcoming hardship, comparing it to the endurance required to complete a long-distance race.

“Life is about measuring progress and whatever you have gone through in life does not matter. What matters is that you get started, you keep going until you finish the race,” Gimara said.

According to Gimara, the marathon was intentionally designed to attract recreational runners, tourists, and families while promoting northern Uganda’s cultural heritage, tourism potential, and healthy lifestyles.

“We thought Gulu has a story to tell and it is resilience from conflict and our people have bounced back; they are working and they are trying to keep their feet up,” he said.

Gimara added that the city’s roads and running routes are among the best in the region.

“Having run in many places, I can tell you the tracks we have here are fantastic, comparable to the very best,” he said.

The national chairman also highlighted the growing economic impact of the marathon, saying last year’s event attracted more than 2,000 participants and generated an estimated shs1.5 billion in direct spending over the marathon weekend.

“When you have over 2,000 runners coming with families, the expenditure is high and hotels were occupied, boda boda riders made money, market vendors made money and we met riders saying they had never made money like that before,” Gimara said.

He said the marathon has steadily grown since its launch in 2024.

“We started with a target of 500 participants and exceeded 800 and last year we targeted 1,000, but demand grew and we had more than 2,000 participants,” he said.

Chairman of the organising committee, Ocaya Anthony, said organisers are prioritising safety and smooth operations ahead of this year’s race.

“A successful marathon is a safe one, and a successful marathon is a safe and seamless marathon,” Ocaya said.

“This is why we are incredibly grateful for the support of the security agencies, particularly the regional police leadership, for guiding us in delivering this marathon,” he added.

Ocaya said the organising committee is made up largely of volunteers committed to growing the marathon into an internationally recognized event.

“We are working hand in hand with different stakeholders to ensure that this becomes a historic success for Gulu City,” he said.

General manager of the marathon, Bonita Mulenga, said the marathon is increasingly positioning Gulu as a sports tourism destination capable of attracting visitors from across Uganda and beyond.

Mulenga noted that the event blends athletics with culture, heritage, and community engagement.

“We are not only promoting running and we are promoting culture, tourism, heritage, and the Gulu City experience,” she said.

She added that organisers are using the marathon as a platform to support charitable causes in the region.

According to the organisers, 10 percent of registration proceeds are allocated annually to community initiatives.

Last year, proceeds supported the Dero Kwan Education Initiative, while this year’s marathon will contribute toward the construction of the Aliker Youth Skilling Center in Abole, a project aimed at supporting youth mental health and healing.

The mayor of Gulu city council, Julius Labeja Acire, praised the organizers for building a brand that is reshaping perceptions about northern Uganda.

“I didn’t know your vision was this big for Gulu City,” Acire said while addressing organizers.

Adding that “I have moved around the country and seen Gulu City Marathon kits being worn across Uganda and even internationally.”

The mayor said the marathon is helping market Gulu as a welcoming city and boosting tourism and investment opportunities.

“People come to Gulu and experience us, and that is what brings them back and the marathon helps enrich the Gulu City experience and promotes our people and culture,” Labeja said.

Labeja also pointed to infrastructure improvements and ongoing urban development projects that he said would strengthen the city’s ability to host major sporting and tourism events.

“As a city leadership, we are committed to supporting initiatives like this because of the benefits they bring economically, socially, and health-wise,” he said.

Organisers said this year’s marathon will continue promoting fitness and youth engagement while encouraging Ugandans to embrace running as part of healthy living.

Gimara urged residents, journalists, and leaders to participate actively in the race.

“When you run, you are challenging yourself and running teaches discipline, resilience, and determination. It is also good for young people because it keeps them focused and healthy,” he said.

The Gulu City Marathon is expected to attract runners, tourists, investors, and cultural enthusiasts from across Uganda and the East African region when it returns later this year.