UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
Colonialism as a conflict
Colonialism itself was considered a conflict as it brought new tensions, violence and
suffering to Uganda. The colonial authorities engaged in warfare with the peoples of
Uganda, resulting in death, injury, and the theft and destruction of livestock, agriculture
and property.
Many older participants commented in particular that the British combined manipulation
with open violence to subjugate the people of what is now Uganda. In
the 19 th century, for example, they
killed the West Nile traditional
leader, Chief Aliku, 5 and gave military support to the Tooro Kingdom
against the Bunyoro Kingdom when the latter refused to sign a cooperation agreement
similar to the one the Baganda had signed. 6 When the people of Lamogi in Acholiland
rebelled against colonisation in the early 20 th century (Lamogi Rebellion 1911-1912 7 and
Paimol Rebellion 1917), these rebellions were violently crushed.
The newcomers also indirectly caused conflict in different areas of society amongst
Ugandans. This occurred, for example, through the introduction of money, the subjugation
of traditional leaders and Kingdoms, and the introduction of foreign religions. Protestant
and Catholic missionaries contributed to growing divisions and violence as they caused
5 For more information, see conflict number 4 in this Compendium
6 For more information, see conflict number 90 in this Compendium
7 Ibid.
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