Map of Gulu, Uganda

Gulu is the administrative centre of Northern Region, Uganda, with a population of about 177,400. It lies at 2.7746°N, 32.2990°E. Gulu is about 275 km (171 mi) north of Kampala, the capital. The nearest city on our map is Kitgum, 86 km to the northeast.

Gulu at a glance

Where is Gulu?

• The 5th largest city in Uganda by recorded population.
• The largest city in Northern Region on this site.
• Located in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres.
• Daylight ranges from about 11 h 58 min on the shortest day to 12 h 17 min on the longest day (around 21 December and 21 June).

Cities near Gulu

• Kitgum — 86 km northeast
• Adjumani — 88 km northwest
• Lira — 89 km southeast
• Apac — 93 km south
• Pajok — 123 km north, South Sudan
• Nebbi — 138 km west
• Masindi — 138 km southwest
• Yumbe — 140 km northwest
• Hoima — 183 km southwest
• Soroti — 187 km southeast

Largest cities in Northern Region

• Lira — 119,323
• Kotido — 75,700
• Arua — 72,400
• Apac — 67,700
• Koboko — 64,500
• Kitgum — 56,891
• Yumbe — 47,600
• Nebbi — 41,400
• Paidha — 37,500
• Adjumani — 37,100

Largest cities in Uganda

• Kampala — 1,680,600
• Mbarara — 221,300
• Mukono — 191,300
• Njeru — 178,800
• Kajansi — 135,600
• Lugazi — 128,400
• Hoima — 122,700
• Mubende — 121,600
• Lira — 119,323
• Ibanda — 117,700

Map of Uganda and all its cities →

Sources: place names, coordinates, populations and time zones from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0, data retrieved October 2026). Population figures are the latest values recorded in GeoNames; depending on the country they refer to the city proper, a municipality or a wider urban area, so they can differ from census or metro-area figures. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.