National
UGANDA: OKTOBERFEST EVENT 2026 IS 50/50; GULU CITY MAYOR IS JUST STUPID, NOT GRANTING KAUNDA GROUND TO HOST EVENT-CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION
Emeritus Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga initiated a very good business opportunity for Gulu City and the Acholi sub region; other leaders must embrace if. The time for politics is over. It’s time for building a very vibrant economy and tourism for Gulu City.
GULU CIRT-MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15. 2026
By Okumu Livingstone Langol, (Uganda Correspondent)
Gulu City Mayor is just stupid for stopping Oktoberfest by not granting permission to host Oktoberfest, even though it is scheduled to take place on 3-11, to deny local businessmen the opportunity to market their products and tourism, Civil Society Organisation voiced
Kenneth Lubangakene, from Gulu NGO Forum, is one of the critic concerns of the Gulu City residences that have been prepared to sell their products in big numbers, but they are disappointed when Julius Labeja Gunya turned down request from Emeritus Gulu City Okwonga Alfred not to allow Oktoberfest event to take place at Kaunda Ground, just to host Kofi Luminde, a musician from DR. Congo on the 9th Independent day.
“The time for politics is over; this is the time for building a very strong economy of Gulu City. Mayor Labeja is just stupid when he says those businessmen who are agitating for Oktoberfest want to drink Kwete, and Kwete should not be drunk. How many products do we Ugandans import as a country? The government is just about local content. If he is not drinking Kwete, how many people are drinking Kwete? The city is run by local government, and he is also local”
Lubangakene Kenneth added, ” Gulu City should look at the economy; they should not play politics; they should look at what brings money into the hands of people. Instead of looking for bases of Business and economy of Gulu City and tapping tourists in Gulu, as Emeritus Okwonga have initiated a very good business opportunity, other leaders must embrace it, Civil Society Organisation commented.
Otim Francis, Councillor IV, for Bardege-Layibi City West Division, also welcomed the idea of hosting an Oktoberfest event.
“I have no problem with the Oktoberfest event”
Onen Can, a businessman in Gulu City, lambasted Gulu City Mayor Julius Labeja Gunya, commented, I know there are some powerful people behind him, without naming his political Guru, just to host Kofi Luminde only. If they want that show only for one day, why not take it elsewhere?
Alima Joyes, former Speaker for Gulu City, also voiced her concern: we want Oktoberfest to be there; we want people to sell their products.
Emeritus Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga, when contacted for comment, argued, first of all, the opportunity for Oktoberfest 2026 is 50/50 percent, why Am I saying this, because we don’t have the ground for the activities. The ground for the activities we have not got is the letter from the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Secondly, we don’t have the money for the function. “Even if we have the money, if there is no ground and the IGP letter, there is no way.” Emeritus Mayor Okwonga stressed.
Emeritus Mayor Okwonga reiterated that if we have the ground, writing to the IGP is not difficult, but we are against time; we can get other ground, Gulu University ground, SOS ground and even World Embrace ground can be the source.
Another option is to sell Oktoberfest, Lira City, Kitgum and Arua City; they wanted to host, but Oktoberfest will not go anywhere.
Emeritus Mayor Okwonga wrote a letter as follows:
LETTER ADVISING CANCELLATION OF GULU CITY OKTOBERFEST 2026
Date: 09 September 2026
To: The President, RC Gulu City – 2026/2027 Rotary Year
Attention:
- Chairperson / Co‑Chair, Organising Committee
- The Top Organising Committee
Gulu City Oktoberfest Initiative
Subject: Recommendation to Call Off Gulu City Oktoberfest 2026
I convey my respectful greetings to you all.
Following a comprehensive review of the prevailing circumstances surrounding the organisation of Gulu City Oktoberfest 2026, I hereby submit a formal advisory recommending the cancellation of the event. This recommendation is made in consideration of several substantive issues that pose legal, operational, financial, and reputational risks to the Rotary organising committee and its partners.
Uganda has only recently been cleared from the prolonged Ebola outbreak, and a number of international partners continue to classify the country as a cautious destination. This has materially affected sponsor confidence, exhibitor participation, and cultural delegation readiness. Several sponsors who had previously pledged support have not yet fulfilled their commitments, creating a significant funding deficit that compromises the event’s financial viability.
Furthermore, the organising team has not secured the mandatory clearance from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), nor has Gulu City Authority issued the requisite approvals for hosting the event. Proceeding without these authorisations would expose the RC Gulu City / the organising Committee to legal liabilities, enforcement actions, and compliance breaches. In addition, there are confirmed indications of conflicting events scheduled for the same venue and period, which presents unavoidable logistical and security complications.
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. This action is necessary to prevent further expenditure of resources, avoid potential legal disputes, and protect the integrity of the RC Gulu City and Oktoberfest brand within Gulu City.
All funds collected from vendors and exhibitors must be refunded promptly, transparently, and in full. A clear and factual public communication should be issued, outlining the reasons for the cancellation to ensure accountability, maintain goodwill, and prevent future misunderstandings.
Although this decision is regrettable, it is the most prudent course of action to safeguard stakeholders, uphold regulatory compliance, and preserve the reputation of the organising committee.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
NB: My humble advice.
Yours faithfully,
Okwonga Alfred
CP RC Gulu City
However, the Rotary letter from 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 each of the issues to our Charter President.
Julius Labeja Gunya, Gulu City Mayor, called the press conference to his office and warned that Gulu City will not host Oktoberfest because Gulu City Council have not approved the Oktoberfest event
