Uganda to host its first Ever October Festival in Gulu city
Written by Ambrose Okwanga on July 27, 2025
The ministry of tourism and antiquities have launched the first ever Oktober festival in Uganda scheduled to take place in Gulu in October this year.
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the festival at iGolden Tulip Hotel Kampala , Martin Mugarra Bahinduka urged the people of Acholi sub region to use the event to trade their culture and Uganda to foreigners who will come from different countries.
Mugarra said the ministry aim to increase tourism revenue from 50 billion shillings to 500 billion by 2040 and this can only be achieved if more foreigners come to the country.
He therefore applauded the people of Acholi and Gulu City for partnering with the German government to bring the festival to Uganda and pledged government’s support towards it.
Mugarra said the event will boost the economy of Acholi people and Ugandan at large because people from different sectors like transport, hotels , restaurants and others will make money from it.
Norbert Mao, the minister of justice and constitutional affairs said the festival will boast economic development and entertainment in Acholi sub region.
Mao said that they will use the initiative which will be yearly to showcase tourism sites in Acholi adding that over 500 Germans have already registered to participate in it.
The Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Uganda National Oil Company, Tonny Otoa said they will also use the festival to tell Ugandans and others the oil and gas story in abid to promote tourism in the sector.
Therefore, he pledged total commitment towards the festival and urged other patners to support it.
The Mayor of Gulu City, Alfred Okwonga said the festival which starts 6 Oct 2025-14th Oct 2025 was initiated by Acholi people living in Germany in a bid to boost development and Acholi culture.
Okwonga said the festival will not only be for merry making but they will use funds collected from the festival to support education for the less privileged , wetland protection, installation of solar lighting and tree planting among others.
Walter Okidi Ladwar, the chairperson organising committee of the festival said the president of Uganda, Yoweri Kagutta Museveni has confirmed his attendance to grace the opening ceremony.
