How the Gulu City marathon is building hope for northern Uganda’s youth

Gulu | What began as a race through the streets of Gulu has evolved into something much bigger than sport.

For hundreds of young people in northern Uganda, the Gulu City Marathon is becoming a vehicle for opportunity, with proceeds from the annual sporting event now helping to lay the foundation for a youth skilling centre that organizers hope will transform lives for generations.

At the launch of the third edition of the Gulu City Marathon, organisers announced a contribution of shs10 million raised from the previous marathon to support the construction of the Dr. Martin Aliker Youth Skilling Centre in Abole parish, Koro sub-county, Omoro district.

The donation marks a significant step toward realising a project designed to equip young people with practical vocational skills and improve employment prospects in a region still grappling with high levels of youth unemployment.

The third edition of the marathon is scheduled for December 6, 2026, at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City and is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants from across Uganda and beyond.

For organisers, the event is no longer only about fitness and competition. It is increasingly becoming a platform for economic empowerment, tourism promotion and community development.

“We always believe in giving back to the community,” said Counsel Francis Gimara, chairperson of the Gulu City Marathon organising committee.

“The contribution toward the Dr. Martin Aliker Youth Skilling Centre is taking physical shape in brick, steel and prosperity and it is an investment in young people and in the future of Northern Uganda,” Gimara added.

Gimara said lessons learned from previous editions have inspired organizers to expand the marathon’s reach and impact.

He further noted that the upcoming event is expected to draw nearly double the number of participants recorded in earlier editions.

According to organisers, the second edition generated substantial economic activity in Gulu City with hotels experiencing near-full occupancy rates while local businesses reported increased sales as visitors, athletes and sponsors spent money within the city.

“More than just a sporting event, the marathon has created an ecosystem that benefits hotels, transport operators, restaurants and small businesses,” Gimara explained.

He further added that “this is positioning Gulu as a destination for sports tourism.”

He noted that approximately shs500 million was spent organising last year’s marathon, with support coming from local communities, individual partners and corporate sponsors.

The event has also gained national visibility, helping place Gulu City on the map as a growing centre for tourism and cultural activities.

A legacy of education and service

The skilling centre being supported by marathon proceeds is named after Dr. Martin Aliker, one of Uganda’s most respected professionals and statesmen.

Born in Awaranga village in northern Uganda, Dr. Aliker rose to become one of the country’s pioneering dental surgeons, a diplomat, businessman and education advocate.

He served as the founding Chancellor of Gulu University and chaired Monitor Publications Limited.

His commitment to education, discipline and enterprise continues to inspire initiatives aimed at empowering young people.

Organisers say the planned skilling centre seeks to carry forward that legacy by providing vocational training opportunities for youth who have limited access to higher education or employment.

Addressing a youth unemployment crisis

According to the 2024 national census, the Acholi sub-region has more than 513,000 young people aged between 15 and 30 years.

Additionally, many face barriers to education and skills development, contributing to high levels of unemployment and economic vulnerability.

For local leaders, projects that combine sports, education and economic development offer a practical solution.

Gulu City Mayor Julius Labeja Acire praised the marathon for extending its impact beyond athletics.

“Sports tourism has become an important driver of development in this region,” Acire said.

“What makes this initiative unique is that it is also supporting education and youth skills and that is an investment in the future of our city.”

Acire emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in managing marathon proceeds, saying public trust would be critical to ensuring continued community support.

He added that strengthening partnerships between public institutions and the private sector would help sustain similar development initiatives.

Turning community needs into action

Jacqueline Ayuya Mukasa, President of the Rotary Club of Kampala, said community assessments revealed a pressing need for vocational training opportunities.

She further revealed that the idea of establishing the skilling centre emerged after extensive consultations with residents of Abole Parish.

“We visited the community several times to understand their challenges,” Mukasa said.

He added: “One of the key gaps identified was the lack of a facility where young people could acquire practical skills that would improve their livelihoods.”

Although land for the project has already been secured, funding remains one of the biggest obstacles.

“For the past year, we have struggled to mobilise enough resources to begin construction,” she explained.

She, however, applauded the organisers and noted that the contribution from the Gulu City Marathon is a major boost, but they are still calling upon development partners, companies and well-wishers to support the project.

Mukasa said Rotary International and its partners are exploring additional fundraising initiatives, including a golf tournament and applications for global grants through the Rotary Foundation.

The broader goal is to create a sustainable institution that can provide training opportunities and educational support to vulnerable youth across the Acholi sub-region.

As preparations begin for the 2026 edition, organisers hope the marathon will continue to unite communities while showcasing Gulu’s resilience and transformation.

What started as a race promoting culture, heritage and healthy living is increasingly becoming a catalyst for social change.

For the thousands expected to line up at the starting point in December, every kilometre covered will represent more than athletic achievement.

It will symbolise a collective effort to build opportunities for young people and honour the legacy of a man whose life was dedicated to education and service.

In Gulu, the finish line is no longer just the end of a race, it is the beginning of new possibilities.

This version follows a feature-writing style rather than a hard news report, emphasising storytelling, human impact, context, and a stronger narrative structure.