By Sebastian Bogere
Gulu, City (UG):- The first ever Gulu City Culture and Heritage Run meant to celebrate the cultural Heritage in Acholi is already taking shape as some parastatal are already joining the course. The run, clichéd “Gulu City Run” is organised under the theme “Running for Culture and Heritage”.
During a double Press Conference organised in Gulu City on Monday añd Thursday respectively, Fiona Latigi Lamaro, the Coordinator of the run under the Great North One Company said the run is primarily organised to celebrate the rich Acholi Culture and promote raise funds to support education in Acholi.
Latigi, during her address on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Jaca Gardens explained that the run is significant because, over the past years, Gulu, Acholi and the whole of northern Uganda had lagged behind due to Lord’s Resistance Army(LRA) insurgency that disrupted peace for quite a long time(about two decades).
She further expressed that the event that is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024-attracting many dignitaries including Justice Minister Norbert Mao, former UPC chairman Otunu Olara(who is the guest of honour) and the Acholi Paramount Chief-his His Highness (Rwot) David Onen Acana II, who shall also flag off the at Kaunda Liberation Grounds.
“The event will start with a pre-activity of cultural gala night at Jaca Gardens on December 6, 2024, then the run kicks off on December 7th”, remarked Latigi.
She added that there shall be prices to be won including medals, and cash money; where the winner in the 42 kilometres(km) shall get a sum of Shillings One million five hundred thousand (Sh.1.5 m), the first Runner up gets Sh.1 m) and the second runner up gets Sh.500,000.
She added that in the second category(21km), the winner shall get Sh.1 m, and the first runner-up gets Sh. 500,000 and the second runner-up gets Sh. 250,000 respectively.
Dusman Okee, the Chairperson of the Security Committee of the run, during his address on Monday (November 25, 2024) in Gulu City Inn revealed that the run is categorised in four including Five Kilometres(5 km), 10 km , 21 km and 42 km respectively.
Okee said as far as security is concerned, they are working with the police as the lead security provider, backed up by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces(UPDF) Fourth(4th) Division Barracks (Gulu) personnel to ensure safety on the dire day.
He however added that besides promoting cultural heritage, the run is are looking promoting tourism in Gulu and Acholi at large by attracting participants who will use Gulu City for a tourism destination.
“We would love if the visitors use the opportunity to visit some significant cultural and physical features including Fort Patiko, Aruu Falls, among others for their tour experiences”, remarked Okee.
He added that the run which shall hence fourth become annually shall attract not less than 500 people for the pioneer run.
Major Peter Mugisha, the UPDF 4th Division Army Public Information Officer(PIO), who was also representing the Division Commander(Major Gen. Felix Busizori) affirmed that they are ready to provide security in collaboration with the police.
Maj. Mugisha said that they will tolerate any criminal activity from any criminal gangs(‘Aguus’) who perhaps may want to jeopardize the event.
Partners join cause
Mobile Telecommunication Network(MTN) on Thursday(November 28, 2024) came out to support the course by donating 20 million shillings.
Denis Harindimana, the MTN Northern Uganda Marketing Officer said that MTN saw it wise to support the course with that ransom. Harindimana revealed that the twenty is purposely meant to support campaigns on Education in Acholi termed “Dero Kwan”.
‘Dero Kwan’ is a brainchild of Chief Justice-Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and Otunu Olara, when they pioneered the annual “Gurre me Pongdwongo”, an Acholi gathering aiming and restructuring the Acholi society for development and property.
The campaign was started in December 2023 at Sir Samuel Baker School and this year’s gathering is scheduled at Restore Leadership High school(on Gulu-Juba Road) in Amuru District.
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