14/09/2026
The President of the Rotary Club of Gulu City acknowledges receipt of the letter written by our Charter President, Alfred Okwonga on 9th September 2026 advising on the cancellation of the Oktoberfest event of 2026.
The Rotary Club of Gulu City shall respond to this letter, following a meeting of the Board.
We thank Charter President Okwonga for the diligence and initiative he has shown in raising these concerns about Oktoberfest.
In line with the Fifth Focus Area of Rotary International, which is “Community Economic Development: Building local economic potential, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating jobs for women and youth”, the Rotary Club of Gulu City has been and remains in active discussions with the registered owners of Gulu City Oktoberfest Events and Gulu City Council itself, with the specific goal of regularising the event as a Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) in Gulu City.
We take seriously each of the issues our Charter President flagged in the letter, which include questions around public health perceptions, sponsor commitments, regulatory clearances from the Inspector General of Police and Gulu City Council as the hosting authority, and potential scheduling conflicts at the proposed venue of Kaunda Ground. These are legitimate considerations for any large public event, and the Rotary Club of Gulu City looks forward to a formal PPCP that shall comply with all such requirements in line with the law.
The Rotary Club of Gulu City will continue to pursue this course of engagement, so as to provide the business community and residents of Gulu City and other participants a genuine opportunity to manage, participate in, and benefit from such an event in line with Rotary's focus area of Community Economic Development.
Our aim is to build local economic potential, support entrepreneurs, and create jobs for women and youth in Gulu City.
We believe that properly institutionalising Gulu City Oktoberfest Events as a Public-Private-Community Partnership can pave the way for an annual festival that benefits Gulu City, its businesses and communities herein.
The Rotary Club of Gulu City remains willing, and indeed eager, to see such a partnership realised in support of community economic empowerment and the development and promotion of our cultural heritage.
We trust that the organizing committee shall in due course assure the public, potential sponsors, vendors, exhibitors, and partners that any decision affecting the event, including matters of regulatory compliance, refunds, or timing, will be communicated clearly, factually, and promptly.
Lora Florece Atim
President, Rotary Club of Gulu City
2026/2027
