"Gulu, by ek it's grim up north." Gulu by muguruki

Gulu Travel Guide: 23 reviews and 35 photos

These poor buggers have had it hard up here in Gulu. The war in the north of Uganda is officially on going, Joseph Kony (formerly of this parish) has yet to sign a peace deal with the Museveni government. In fact Kony and 3 other members of the LRA (Lords Resistance Army) wont appear at peace talks in person until The ICC drops the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against them.

There may not be any “tourist attractions” in Gulu but if anywhere in Uganda needs the benefit of your hard-earned lucre its Northern Uganda.

Things are quite different in the North of Uganda there is a completely different feel to the country once you are north of Lake Kyoga. There is a lot less Luganda spoken here than in other parts of the country, and as a white bloke when I walk down a rural road in Uganda you are quite often followed down the road by a gaggle of kids shouting out “muzungu, muzungu”. In the north you will soon get used to hearing kids shouting “Munu munu” or more bizarrely “munu bye!" You will be unlucky to find someone who doesn’t speak English but if you do getting by in Kiswahili would be a great help.

Forge ahead!

Who needs bellows when you’ve got an old pushbike wheel to fire up your furnace.

This young chappie was heating up metal gate hinges and hammering them into shape by the side of the road in Gulu town with his ingenious bike wheel powered bellows.

Walking around Gulu you do come across reminders of its grim past there are signs for things like “Gulu landmine survivors group”.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lovely people, lovely food.
Cons:There are no cons I want to return.

Last visit to Gulu: May 2013
Intro Updated May 24, 2013
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Reviews (21)

Market Shopping (4)

I was in Gulu in January 2013 and the market had been replaced by a building site. If the proposed artists’ impression... more travel advice

Monument to children abducted by the LRA - Gulu

Monument to children abducted by the LRA Things to Do (4)

Not far from the District HQ is a monument erected to remember those children who have been abducted in the war in the... more travel advice

District HQ Things to Do (4)

Worth having a look at while you are in Gulu town is the district head quarters. The District HQ is a rather elaborately... more travel advice

Better bread than bed Hotels (3)

The bathroom I had was bigger than my bedroom! Rather a poor guest house but a half decent café out front. While I was... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Gulu map
Nightlife (1)
Boozer

Comments (4)

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Wafro Dec 8, 2011 at 11:16 AM

Have you ever heard about Els de Temmerman? She is a Belgian journalist living in Uganda and wrote several books about the LRA war in northern Uganda.
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TheCoffeeHut May 17, 2011 at 11:36 AM

Your price range for our menu is totally wrong. Nothing on our menu in more than $5 dollars ($1=2300UGX). An house coffee costs 3000UGX or $1.25. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...
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hunterV Dec 7, 2010 at 8:05 AM

You've been there! Good for you! Thanks for your story! ><><><><
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DAO May 20, 2008 at 1:19 PM

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! What happened!? I loved that place! Arggghhh!!!! Great tips here...