Arua

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Dynamic, Cross-border, Resilient

Arua, the largest town in Uganda’s West Nile sub-region, is a culturally rich, trade-oriented destination located near the borders with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A key player in refugee response, cross-border commerce, and humanitarian programming, Arua is ideally positioned for regional summits, development workshops, diaspora forums, and public health events.

As a commercial centre, Arua boasts a growing selection of hotels and venues, including Desert Breeze Hotel, Hilltop Hotel, and White Castle Hotel. These establishments cater for 50–150 guests and are regularly used by government agencies, NGOs, and East African Community partners. Events frequently address themes such as refugee integration, border security, youth enterprise, and sustainable livelihoods. With the support of district leadership and a vibrant civil society, event planners find Arua to be cooperative, logistically feasible, and regionally significant.

One of Arua’s key assets is its role as a hub for refugee-hosting districts such as Yumbe, Adjumani, and Moyo. As such, the town is often selected for high-level humanitarian reviews, cross-district coordination meetings, and donor field briefings. Organisations working in health, education, food systems, and peacebuilding use Arua as a base for both operational planning and thought leadership.

The presence of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Muni University, and several regional media outlets further supports events focused on health policy, youth empowerment, and civic engagement. The town is also known for its lively markets, multilingual character, and diverse faith communities—making it an excellent host for interfaith gatherings, women’s conferences, and creative exchange events.

Arua is served by a domestic airport (Arua Airstrip), with flights from Entebbe, and is connected by road to Gulu and the border posts of Oraba and Vurra. This accessibility, combined with its growing hospitality sector, makes it a prime location for transboundary programmes and pan-African convenings.

Arua isn’t just a waypoint—it’s a crossroads of culture, recovery, and opportunity. For events that require real-world relevance, regional reach, and a sense of shared future, Arua offers a platform grounded in both urgency and possibility.