The 2026 edition of the Gulu City Oktoberfest has been cancelled after organisers raised concerns over Ebola-related health restrictions, inadequate sponsorship and failure to secure the necessary security clearance.
Rotarian Alfred Okwonga, one of the key organisers, said the event, which was scheduled for October, could not proceed because health restrictions linked to Ebola had not yet been fully lifted, while several sponsors had failed to honour their commitments.
Okwonga said the health situation had also affected the confidence of international visitors and sponsors.
“International partners continue to classify the country as a cautious destination. Visitors who should be coming from other parts of the world, including Europe, America, Australia and elsewhere, may still fear coming to attend the events because of the Ebola outbreak. They are still classifying the country as a cautious destination,” he said.
He added that the situation had negatively affected sponsors, exhibitors and cultural delegations expected to participate in the festival.
“This has materially affected sponsors’ confidence, exhibitors’ participation and cultural delegation readiness,” Okwonga said.
According to Okwonga, several sponsors who had earlier pledged financial support had not fulfilled their commitments, leaving organisers with a significant funding gap.
“As I talk now, we have contacted so many sponsors, big and small, but they have not yet given any coin or any support to the event. This has created a significant funding deficit and compromised the event’s financial viability,” he said.
The organisers are also yet to obtain the mandatory clearance from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which is required to provide security for the event.
Okwonga said the organisers had secured site approval from the city authorities but were still waiting for the necessary authorisation and formal involvement of the city administration.
“Last year, by this stage, we had already raised the approval of the Inspector General of Police to allow the police to guard the crowd that would be coming to Gulu City,” he concluded.
By James Owich
