Gulu

If you have heard about the rebel Kony, then you have certainly heard about Gulu. By the way it is pronounced as "GU LOU."  it is located in the northern part of Uganda, about 5 hours drive from Kampala. The road is good all the way. Good here meaning it is turmac all the way. The traffic is not heavy at all especially after you leave Kampala.

I made my first ever trip to Gulu about 12 weeks ago. I was motivated by the fact that the people of Gulu have gone through a very difficult time of war until 5 years ago. For a period of about 20 years, all we heard about Gulu was: war, child soilders, camps, abduction, suffering, name it. Can you imagine being born, growing up and all you have known is war! terrible.

Gulu town

The town is now back to normal and has become a tourist destination. Infact you find more tourists in Gulu town than the natives. As a result the cost of living in Gulu town is higher than in Kampala. Alot of organisations especially NGOs and banks have branches in Gulu town. You will mostly find stuff to get by only that it will be more costly. In the supermarkets, items cost between ugx500 and ugx 1000 more.

uchumi supermarket

I also discovered a bakery that makes nice confectionery right opposite the taxi park. I was able to buy a freshly made muffin to munch on my way back to Kampala.
Accomodation;
Depending on how much you are willing to spend,there are the high end hotels and then the shoe string kind of places. I noticed coronation street having lots of the affordable but relatively good places. Do not be deceived by the outside, please get in and actually look at the rooms before you pay. I noticed that the good places were not exactly very attractive from the outside. Talk about not all that glitters.
Customer experience;
If you have been to other places around Uganda, don't expect too much care in Gulu please. Customer care is not their thing, they will seemingly shout at you, but  thats just them. My worst experience was when I enquired about a service that I was not satisfied with and the attendant turned to a colleague and complained that I was bad. Ofcourse they said that in the local dialect but I happen to know that particular word. Well, they ended up not attending to my issue anyway. It is not a rare occurence to be involved in bitter exchanges with the staff in places. I noticed the staff of Acholi inn are however very polite.