The King of Alur, Phillip Rauni Olarker, will preside over the three-day Alur Cultural Gala in Arua, an event aimed at celebrating heritage, strengthening unity among West Nile communities, and promoting cultural exchange through exhibitions, performances and tourism showcases.
The three-day Alur Cultural Gala 2025, scheduled for December 12-14 at the OPM Grounds in Arua City, is expected to showcase a blend of cultural expressions from across the West Nile region.
Rwoth Ubimu is set to grace the celebration as chief guest. He said the annual gathering provides an important space for communities to reconnect with their traditions.
"It's important for us to celebrate this Annual Cultural Gala because it reconnects us with our roots. If you don't know where you're coming from then it will be very hard to know where you're going," he said.
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Hofin Lunya, the spokesperson for the Alur community in Arua, said the event is designed not only to celebrate Alur heritage but also to recognise and accommodate other cultures in West Nile.
"Although rooted in Alur traditions, the gala is open to all cultures in West Nile to showcase their identity through exhibitions, performances, market displays, tourism promotion, knowledge sharing, and cultural exchange," he said.
The annual celebration is expected to attract civil society organisations, cultural institutions such as the Lugbara Kari, tourism sector actors, socio-economic entrepreneurs, environmentalists, local artisans and the general public, with organisers saying it helps strengthen unity, visibility and community development in the region.
Moses Oringi, one of the organisers in charge of exhibitions, said the gala also provides an opportunity for participants to experience and purchase cultural products including traditional clothing, musical instruments and locally crafted security items such as bows and arrows.
"The Alur Cultural Gala brings people together and reinforces a shared sense of belonging," he said.
