Here are ten of the best tourist attractions in Gulu, a town in the northern region of Uganda that has many attractions worth seeing.
There are several tourist attractions to visit in Gulu, a town located in the Northern region of Uganda. In this article, we list the top ten tourist attractions in Gulu.
However, It’s sad to say the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its leader Joseph Kony have made Gulu well-recognized. The LRA originated as a sectarian movement to topple the government in 1989 before evolving into a brutal rebel organization that gained notoriety for kidnapping and using child soldiers.
Consequently, each night, tens of thousands of kids from the area started making their way to Gulu in search of protection.
The Ugandan government also mandated the internment of all residents in northern Uganda in IDP camps from 1996 until their conclusion in 2009.
In the years since the end of the conflict, people have rebuilt their lives and gone back to their homes. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Gulu.
The Recreation Project
The goal of this group is to alleviate the trauma and unfavorable childhood experiences that children in the post-conflict region have experienced.
The Recreation Project encourages young people to be open and vulnerable, to notice and respond to their emotions, they are taught to find their inner strength and resilience via outdoor adventure and transformative play.
Among the amenities on this five-acre woodland site are a 30-meter climbing wall, high and low ropes courses, a leap of faith, and a ziplining course.
To help or participate, the Recreation Project’s staff can assist you to host a retreat, design a unique team-building activity, or simply attend one of their events.
Murchison Falls National Park
The most visited destination in Uganda’s northwestern region is this national park, which is the country’s largest. The park is very accessible from Gulu town, and it takes approximately three and a half hours to get there.
It was founded in 1952 and is home to a variety of magnificent species, including the Big Five of Africa, which include enormous elephants, African buffaloes, lions, and leopards, as well as giraffes, kobs, crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, and other primates like chimpanzees and monkeys.
There are other places to visit that are similar to Murchison Falls, and you can take part in activities like wildlife viewing, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking, and boat cruises, among others.
St. Josephs Catholic Cathedral
Many people found refuge in this enormous church, which was built in the 1910s, during the bloody northern Ugandan war.
A dent on the western side near the roof reveals the rough times it experienced after being struck by an RPG. There are currently two well-preserved bishops’ corpses resting there.
There is also a Well nearby that was filled with concrete during the harrowing World War II account, to keep the advancing British troops from approaching the cathedral grounds.
Fort Patiko – Baker’s Fort
In the parish of Ajulu, Aswa County, and Patiko Sub County, Fort Patiko – Baker’s Fort is located around 30 kilometers from Gulu. The fort was originally built as a location to capture slaves.
However, Sir Samuel Baker took control of it before Amin Pasha and Gordon, the governors of the British Protectorate’s equatorial district, used it as their headquarters.
One of the best places to experience the hierarchy of offices and shops in the historical building in Gulu is when you travel there. It also has an amazing ancient architectural design.
Ajai Game Reserve
Northeastern Uganda’s Ajai Wildlife Reserve is a tiny conservation-protected area. It is dominated by a sizable island and surrounded by savanna with trees and seasonal wetlands.
The reserve contains 35 kilometers of papyrus swamp, as well as Savannah woodland and grassy floodplains.
There are several large mammals present, including the leopard, Uganda Kob, sitatunga, hippo, black-and-white colobus, and warthog. Long-term plans to introduce southern white rhinos are also reportedly in place.
Wawoto Kacel Cooperative Society
Wawoto Kacel is a word for “let’s move together.” A group of women founded the cooperative in 1997 intending to help those who are HIV-positive, disabled, orphaned, have been abducted before, and are single mothers.
Through arts and crafts, the Wawoto Kacel Cooperative Society in Gulu City is assisting hundreds of vulnerable women without access to land to reclaim their dignity.
TAKS Community Art Centre
TAKS is a non-profit organization in Gulu, Uganda that conducts a range of events to introduce the people of Northern Uganda to art and culture.
Their goal is to get the people of Northern Uganda involved in the arts so they can maintain the richness of their culture, assert their humanity, reaffirm the value of their education, take pride in themselves, and develop skills that will help them find new options for their lives and eventually employment.
Gulu Main Market
A one-stop store is the Gulu Main Market. The enormous three-story structure and all the new stores that have occupied the parking lot can easily take an hour or two to explore.
The main market may be too much for you to handle, with all the sounds, scents, and things to buy.
They have a wide selection of vegetables, meats, dry goods, shoes, clothes, and a whole lot more. Come prepared to buy because all the items are worth it and at a fair price.
The Atiak Forest Reserve
A large population of black and white colobus monkeys, unusual animals, and a variety of bird species can be found at the Atiak forest reserve along the Albertine Nile.
The grasslands and forest canopies provide a variety of tourist attractions, and they are supported by excursion sites and tourist paths to provide a top-notch offering.
Amoro Hot Springs
In the Amoro sub-county, Page Parish, Kilak County, the Amoro Hot Springs are located around 35 kilometers away from Gulu Town.
The Amoro Hot Springs, which have a surface area of around 100 square meters, is the biggest hot springs in Uganda’s northern region. Even though it is one of the less visited hot springs, it offers a potentially thrilling tourist attraction.
Conclusion
Gulu has been peaceful and stable since the LRA left. We think Gulu might be among the safest places to live in Uganda. The 10 tourist attractions in Gulu shared are the best to visit.
Of course, as you tour, keep in mind that like any other place on earth, crimes do still occur.
As a tourist, we advise using simple common sense as a measure to stop anything from happening to you on your Gulu trip. Keep your phone inside your bag, especially among crowds, and stay alert all the time.
