By Mike Ssegawa
KAMPALA – Organisers of the Gulu City Marathon have officially launched the 2026 edition, scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, with a sharpened focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and broader community health initiatives.
The announcement was made during a media launch highlighting the event’s evolution from a competitive sports race into a major platform for cultural celebration, tourism promotion, and public health advocacy in Northern Uganda.
Francis Gimara, the marathon convener and national chairperson, described the event as far more than a race, positioning it as a catalyst for regional transformation.
“The Gulu City Marathon was born from a simple but powerful belief: that Gulu and Northern Uganda deserve to be seen, experienced, celebrated, and invested in,” Gimara stated. “From a region once defined by conflict to one now celebrated for resilience, culture, enterprise, and opportunity—this is the story we’re running to tell.”
This marks the third edition of the World Athletics-certified marathon. It will feature:
* 42km Full Marathon
* 21km Half Marathon
* 10km Road Race
* 5km Fun Run & Wheelchair Race
Registration is officially open, with organisers targeting record participation following steady growth in previous years.
Uganda Baati Expands Health Impact
A major cornerstone of the event’s social impact is its long-standing partnership with steel manufacturer Uganda Baati.
Building on the success of the 2025 edition—where the Uganda Baati free medical camp treated over 4,000 community members—the company plans to scale up its outreach for 2026 with a concentrated push against HIV/AIDS.
Jackie Tahakanizibwa, Head of Corporate Affairs at Uganda Baati, emphasized the company’s ongoing commitment via its CSR arm, the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation.
“In 2025, over 4,000 people received free medical services courtesy of the Uganda Baati medical camp,” Tahakanizibwa said.
“In 2026, we’re returning with an even bigger outreach focused on HIV/AIDS awareness. We are running for more than medals—we are running for healthier communities.”
Uganda Baati has been a consistent platinum sponsor, previously anchoring the popular 5km track alongside its health initiatives.
A Regional Movement
The marathon continues to draw strong support from both the public and private sectors. Key collaborators include CFAO Mobility and the Rotary Club of Kampala, which supports youth skills development at the Martin Aliker Resource Centre.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Hon. Norbert Mao, alongside other regional leaders, has previously commended the marathon for uniting stakeholders around common development goals, driving local tourism, boosting businesses, and reframing perceptions of Northern Uganda.
Organised by the Great North Run Company, the event seamlessly blends competitive athletics with rich Acholi cultural displays, music, and social enterprise.
As registration gains momentum, the 2026 Gulu City Marathon is set to be not just Uganda’s premier end-of-year road race, but a vital milestone in the ongoing story of Northern Uganda’s progress and resilience.
Details and entry forms are now available on the official Gulu City Marathon website.
The post Uganda Baati Joins Gulu City Marathon 2026 to Bolster HIV Awareness, Community Health appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.