Commerce, trade, industry and public services
Gulu’s economy is based on the wholesale and retail trades, the construction industry, and non-agricultural household-based enterprises. Major sources of employment include commerce, trade, industry and public services. Gulu’s Acholi people have a rich cultural heritage, which is expressed through dance and music.
Vision and Strategy
Lifelong learning is important for us because it fosters sustainable development. This aligns with our medium-term objectives, which include improving environmental resource management, and increasing decent work opportunities. We are also seeking to strengthen the capacities of the private sector and our citizens’ well-being through quality education. In the long term, our aim is to develop our tourist industry and restore environmental resources. Joining the GNLC would help us to achieve our ambition of becoming a learning city.
Policies, Plan and Implementation
Sustainability and health
- For Gulu, health is a precondition for sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaption strategies are also key to the city’s development. The city aims at integrating sustainability and health into its learning city strategy by assuring the availability of fresh water, promoting the sustainable use of water, and increasing the number of forests and trees in the area.
Equity and inclusion
- To reduce the gender gap in social and economic activities in the city, Gulu is promoting women’s economic empowerment, scaling up gender-based violence prevention schemes and responses and expanding livelihood support. When it comes to youth, the city is reforming employment policies to ensure that their needs, regardless of background, are met.
Decent work and entrepreneurship
- Gulu’s population has a high growth rate and creating jobs for all has been a difficult challenge, especially when it comes to young people. In this context, the city aims at improving educational provision; increasing the proportion of the labour force in decent employment; educating and providing support to the informal sector; and reforming and strengthening youth employment policies and programmes.
Good practices
Name of initiativeDeveloping sustainable and profitable enterprises
- The project aims to increase farmers’ access to improved planting materials, provide advisory services, promote the use of environmentally sustainable materials, and encourage the preservation of natural resources.
Name of initiativeImproving health
- Gulu’s health initiatives are designed to improve access to primary health care services, improve public health and environmental management, and strengthen immunization outreach services.
‘The Mayor’s Office focuses on: enhancing community mobilization and mindset change; job creation and increasing household incomes; the creation of an industrial hub to increase productivity; investing in infrastructural projects; improving health/education.’
Mr Alfred Okwonga
Mayor
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