Discover Gulu between culture and history

Gulu offers different ways to explore culture and history. A 2021 article describes the TAKS Centre as a community art space and cultural meeting place in Gulu, located on Upper Churchill Drive in the Senior Quarters neighbourhood. Nearby is Fort Patiko, a historic site with a story of its own. When planning your trip, the TAKS Centre’s different groups, their activities and their respective schedules are particularly worth noting.

TAKS Centre: dance, boxing and darts

The activity description lists training sessions for the TAKS Boxing Club from Monday to Saturday, from 4 to 6:30 pm. Visitors are welcome to watch a training session. Members can join from the age of seven; sparring has a minimum age of eleven, and both girls and boys are welcome. If you are planning a visit with children, note the distinction: the age of seven applies to membership, while eleven is the minimum age for sparring.

Training sessions for the Solid Youth Team are listed from Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm. Its dancers are at least ten years old and represent a range of experience levels and dance styles. Visitors are welcome to drop in and try dancing. The TAKS Darts Club is a recreational and competitive league; its training sessions are scheduled for 6 pm, Monday to Wednesday, and visitors can play darts with the team.

The activities also differ in their weekly schedules: six training days are listed for boxing, five for the Solid Youth Team and three for darts. Boxing and dance start in the afternoon, while darts is scheduled for 6 pm. A 2021 description also mentions daily evening rehearsals by the TAKS Dance Troupe, where various cultural dances were practised. The Dance Troupe’s schedule differs from the Solid Youth Team’s afternoon sessions. Before visiting, confirm the current training times and whether watching or taking part is possible.

Fort Patiko: history near Gulu

Fort Patiko is about 30 kilometres from Gulu, in Ajulu parish, Patiko sub-county and Aswa County. It was built as a collection point for enslaved people. Sir Samuel Baker took over the fort during the period from 1872 to 1888; afterwards, it served as the headquarters of Emin Pasha and Gordon, the respective governors of the then Equatorial Province of the British Protectorate. Its history therefore includes its early role as a collection point, Baker’s takeover and its later use as a headquarters. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Fort Patiko is around 30 kilometres away and should be considered a separate historic destination in the surrounding area. This can help you decide whether your trip should focus mainly on cultural activities in Gulu or also include the history beyond the town.

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View the main travel overview: Northern Region.