GULU MARATHON HITS GLOBAL STANDARD WITH WORLD ATHLETICS ROUTE MEASURER
Over 1,500 runners are set for the Gulu City Marathon. Deputy Speaker Tayebwa and star Halima Nakaayi will flag off the 21KM and 42KM races themed "Culture and Heritage."
Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, will kick off the half-marathon (21 km) at the Gulu City Marathon. This year's theme is “Running for Culture and Heritage” and includes a 42 km full marathon, a 21 km half marathon, a 10 km run, and 5 km fun runs for families. Everyone who finishes gets a medal to celebrate their hard work.
Ugandan 800M star Halima Nakaayi is set to attend the second Gulu City Marathon on Saturday, December 6th, 2025.
Nakaayi, who won gold at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2019 World Championships, and Ambassador Olara Otunnu will signal the start of the 42 km run at Kaunda Grounds.
Just back from the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Nakaayi has stated that she will be there.
Francis Gimara, chairperson of the Gulu City Marathon steering committee, mentioned this during a press conference at Kampala Club, Limited.
Gimara told the media that Halima Nakaayi and Ambassador Olara Otunnu would start the 42 km race. Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, will start the 21 km race.
He also thanked the partners and stakeholders that joined the team, such as Uganda Baati, Equity Bank, Uganda Airlines, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), CFAO Mobility, Suzuki, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Krystal Water, National Information Technology Authority (NITA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and Swangz Avenue.
Gimara said that he appreciated all the partners who had come together to support the event and that over 1,500 runners had crowded. They had initially expected about 1,000 runners but ended up registering 1,500. They actually sold out a few days before the event, which shows how much people care about running and their health, which is what the marathon is all about.
Gimara said that things like security and getting the course ready have been handled.
Gavin Wright, a World Athletics route measurer in Africa, checked out the course this year. He also checked out the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon route in Kasese before World Athletics gave it their approval. Gimara added that the race will have a global timing system this year, with timers already there.
Different categories:
The Gulu City Marathon, themed “Running for Culture and Heritage,” will have a 42 km full marathon, a 21 km half marathon, a 10 km run, and a 5 km fun run for families.
Everyone who finishes their race will get a medal to celebrate what they did.
Tusker Lite will bring fun to Gulu.
The brand will host the marathon after-party with a VIP experience with performances by local and national artists, refreshments, and a fun party.
Denise Nazzinda, the Tusker Lite Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries Ltd., said that they are ready to party in Gulu.
Nazzinda said that Tusker Lite is set to add life to Gulu with a fun after-party.
Uganda Baati, which has a location in Gulu, will host a medical camp.
The marathon continues to give back through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
10% of the money made will go to the Martin Aliker Youth Skilling Centre in Abole, Omoro District.
Where to get your kits:
You can pick up your marathon kits at the spots below.
In Kampala: the marathon office in Arie Towers (5th floor), Fast and Furious at Kampala Club, Omera Restaurant (Bukoto and Forest Mall Lugogo branches), and Zest Sports at Oasis Mall.
In Gulu, you can find the kits at CFAO Mobility Offices along Kitgum Road, Gulu City Inn, and the Uganda Baati Gulu Office.
KCCA BOUNCE BACK: KASASIRO BOYS OVERCOME RECENT SLUMP WITH A GRITTY 2-1 BUL WIN
KCCA are back: Discover how Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai secured a 2-1 win over Bul to rejoin the UPL title race.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai both found the net for KCCA, either side of a Denis Sewagudde goal, in a win that really should let coaches Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera breathe a little easier.
Zeal. Hunger. Character. Attitude. That’s what KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo wanted to see after his team got handed their third loss in five games last week, a 3-1 defeat to NEC that stung. This time, he finally got it. KCCA showed all those qualities and pulled off a gritty 2-1 victory over Bul in the Uganda Premier League at Phillip Omondi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Ahimbisibwe and Achai scored for KCCA, with Sewagudde briefly levelling for Bul, and the result means Ssenyondo and Magera can at least feel the pressure lift for now.
But maybe more importantly, this win drags KCCA back into the title race. They’re now sitting on 33 points from 17 games, just five behind leaders Vipers.
The game started off tight, both sides feeling each other out, but Bul looked a little sharper early on. Even so, it was KCCA who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with their first real chance. They overloaded the right, Saidi Mayanja whipped in a cross, and Ahimbisibwe, timing his run just right, dived in for a header. That’s his seventh goal of the season, and honestly, he’s been one of the few bright spots among the club’s new signings.
KCCA then had to dig in. Achai made a crucial block to deny Karim Ndugwa after a cross from Reagan Kalyowa. But just before halftime, the tricky Sewagudde bent in a free kick that completely wrong-footed KCCA keeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa, and Bul were level.
After the break, KCCA rediscovered their missing edge. Four minutes into the second half, left-back Achai stormed forward, played a quick one-two with Ashraf Mugume, then hammered the ball past Bul’s Ikara at the near post.
From there, KCCA held Bul at bay, sealing a rare home-and-away double over their Njeru-based rivals, who remain eighth on 20 points.
Earlier that day, Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko grabbed the winner as his side edged UPDF 1-0 in Najjembe, giving them a six-point cushion above the relegation zone. And at the bottom, Calvary finally picked up their fifth point of the season with a goalless draw against Express in Yumbe.
TITLE RACE HEAT: HOW VIPERS DROPPING HOME POINTS GIVES KITARA A CHANCE TO STRIKE
Vipers SC stay top of the UPL with 38 points! Discover how Warren Buule’s equaliser for NEC FC shook up the title race at Kitende.
NEC are stuck in seventh place with 24 points from 17 games. Vipers, even after dropping home points for just the second time this season, hang on to the top spot with 38.
Honestly, NEC have drawn more games than they'd like, nine out of 17. That’s a lot of stalemates in the Startimes Uganda Premier League. But this time, their 1-1 draw away to the reigning champs, Vipers, felt like more than just another point. It actually meant something, especially under the lights at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday evening.
Vipers came out flying. They grabbed the lead early and pretty much ran the first half. Six minutes in, Milton Karisa latched onto a slick through ball from Karim Watambala and curled a lovely left-footed shot past NEC keeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. That was Karisa’s sixth goal of the season, and for a minute there, it looked like the Vipers were about to run riot, just like they did in their 4-0 demolition of Buhimba last time at home.
NEC looked shaky. Coach Badru Kaddu had seen enough and made two early changes, bringing on Shamir Kimwero and Joseph Dhata for Rashid Kawawa and Daniel Shabene inside 25 minutes. The switch helped steady things, but NEC didn’t really come to life until the second half.
Then, with 15 minutes left, substitute Emmanuel Kulanga swung in a cross, and Warren Buule was there at the far post to head in the equaliser. That goal was well earned; NEC were much better after the break. Richard Basangwa, playing up front, kept his old team busy and even got Bady Da Silva and Enoch Ssebagala booked. Ssebagala didn’t last much longer, getting subbed off after a rough tackle on his former side.
NEC has been busy in the mid-season transfer window. They’ve already added six new faces, and more are on the way. Sam Ssekamatte, who scored five goals for UPDF in the first round, watched from the stands with the rest of the unused squad.
So, NEC holds on to seventh, Vipers stay top, but Kitara could shake things up if they beat URA on Thursday. This title race isn’t done yet.
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