UGANDA

NORTHERN CONFLICTS
This discord is manifest in land and boundary conflicts between the Acholi and Langi that
continue to date. One historical example included an attempt by the Langi to extend their
boundary and move from Ayami Parish, Aromo sub-county, Lira district to Puranga subcounty
in Pader (formerly Kitgum district). When the Langi refused to return to Ayami
Parish, conflict emerged between the Langi and Acholi. The Acholi mobilised themselves
with spears and bows and arrows and fought with the Langi in a final battle in which they
trapped the Langi in a bush and set the surrounding Langi land ablaze. A female elder
commented that;
“After the war, Acholi developed a victory slogan that, ‘Omiru
owang ilum calo pura’ (Langi got burnt in the bush like a
waterbuck) and to date if you mentioned that to a Langi, a
fight will erupt because it was a deadly war where the Acholi
besides burning the Langi, went ahead and captured many
Langi women and girls that they later turned them as their
wives. My grandfather married a captive from Lango.” 303
The Acholi-Lango conflict could also help explain why former Acholi Uganda National
Liberation Army (UNLA) commanders mobilised to topple the Obote II government
and why a subsequent Langi alliance was formed to provide support to the National
Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) when it overthrew Tito Okello in 1986. 304
55. Lamogi Rebellion (1911-12)
The Lamogi Rebellion was an insurrection by the Acholi against British colonial rule
that took place in Guru-guru village, Lamogi sub-county, Amuru District in 1911-12. The
Acholi resisted British colonial rule in a major battle on Guru-guru Hill during which the
Acholi killed a British captain. The British in turn killed a number of Acholi in reprisal
attacks. This resulted in the defeat of the Acholi and their subsequent submission to
the British. Today, the people of Lamogi continue to demand compensation from the
British Government as well as the preservation of sites in Lamogi for memorialisation
and tourism. 305
Another anti-colonial rebellion was the Paimol rebellion of 1917, in the
current Agago District. In a fashion similar to the Lamogi Rebellion, this
uprising was brutally crushed. The British brought military reinforcement
from Masindi and killed a number of people. Rwot Lakidi of Paimol was
extra-judicially executed by hanging. The hanging reportedly took place
in the Kitgum garrison headquarters of the British colonialists.
303 Research conducted in Kitgum District
304 Research conducted in Gulu and Kitgum Districts
305 Research conducted in Gulu and Pader Districts
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