The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has backed the planned Gulu City Oktoberfest, arguing that the event must proceed since it is intended to promote tourism and stimulate economic activity in the city. Mao’s statement comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the upcoming festival after its founder and coordinator, Alfred Owkonga, the former Gulu City Mayor, called for its cancellation.
The second edition of the Oktoberfest organised by the Rotary Club of Gulu City is scheduled for October 3 to 12, 2026, at Kaunda Parade Grounds in Gulu City, with thousands of people, including international visitors, expected to attend. However, in a statement issued last Friday, Okwonga said the organisers had faced several hurdles as the event date draws closer, citing delays in obtaining clearance and approvals from the police and Gulu City Council, as well as financial commitments from sponsors.
“Given the limited time remaining, the unresolved compliance requirements and the heightened risk of public controversy or operational failure, it is my considered opinion that all preparations should be halted immediately and the event formally called off,” Okwonga said. Speaking on a local radio station in Gulu City, on Sunday, Mao, who is also the Laroo-Pece Division Member of Parliament, said the festival should not be canceled simply because it is being coordinated by a former mayor. Okwonga was replaced by Julius Acire Gunya, the current City Mayor in the January general polls.
“Even if the former mayor is the one coordinating the Oktoberfest, the festival is for the public,” Mao said.
Mao said one of the major objectives of the festival is to raise funds towards the rehabilitation of Baker’s Fort in Patiko Sub-county, a historical tourism site in Gulu District. He said he had engaged the Executive Directors of the Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority, as well as members of the Uganda Tourism Board, to support the establishment of a visitors’ information centre in Gulu City.
According to Mao, the centre would provide tourists visiting Gulu with information about attractions and destinations across the Acholi Sub-region. He appealed to the organisers and the community not to lose hope, saying the outstanding issues would be resolved to allow the festival to proceed. However, Innocent Ahimbisibwe, the Gulu City Town Clerk, told Uganda Radio Network that the city council had not blocked the festival but had withheld approval pending security clearance.
Ahimbisibwe said the council could only approve the event after the organisers had obtained clearance from the police and other relevant security agencies. He also said the organisers had not adequately engaged with city officials and had failed to provide an appraisal report of last year’s festival.
“So, the City Council is not against it, but we want to have an all-embracing event where the stakeholders’ interests are taken care of. The security is the one that was involved in this thing. What did they see, and what did they think should have been done better?” Ahimbisibwe said. The uncertainty surrounding the festival has nevertheless sparked concern among sections of the business community, particularly vendors who had already booked spaces to participate in the event.
According to the organisers, more than 50,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which will showcase a fusion of the German Bavarian culture with the Acholi tradition. The organisers had budgeted to raise about 1 billion shillings to organise the event, with an expected return of 10 billion shillings being left in the local economy of Gulu City within a week-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
