Conflict Memory Among the Acholi of Uganda
Start Date
12-1-2012 3:30 PM
End Date
12-1-2012 5:00 PM
Description
The Acholi have been at the very center of all the major conflicts in Uganda. They have suffered in many ways, and lost greatly in terms of human lives, property, and psychosocial well being. The British colonialists from the very beginning of their adventures in Uganda identified the Acholi as strong, courageous, and good warriors who could loyally serve in the army and therefore many Acholi were recruited in the forces. Being many in the forces had its toll on the people as many participated and got killed in the different internal conflicts in Uganda. The major conflicts that the Acholi have suffered since Uganda got independence are: the Kabaka’s palace invasion in 1967; the war against Amin regimes of 1971 to 1979; the Luwero Triangle War of 1980 to 1985; and more so the over 20 years war between the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) of Joseph Kony.
The Acholi have different ways of remembering their dead ones, especially those who perished during wars in accordance to their cultures and tradition. They have the practices of bringing the soul of the dead back home into the shrine; burying the war dead; chasing the evil spirits; and reconciling with the enemy.
This presentation therefore seeks to address the following questions:
1. What were the major conflicts in Uganda, and their root causes?
2. Who are the Acholi and why have they been at the center of these conflicts?
3. What are the cultural and traditional ways of the Acholi remembrance and memoralization of their war dead, and their significance?
4. How can the Acholi contribute to peace and stability in Uganda as a nation with many ethnic groups?
Conflict Memory Among the Acholi of Uganda
The Acholi have been at the very center of all the major conflicts in Uganda. They have suffered in many ways, and lost greatly in terms of human lives, property, and psychosocial well being. The British colonialists from the very beginning of their adventures in Uganda identified the Acholi as strong, courageous, and good warriors who could loyally serve in the army and therefore many Acholi were recruited in the forces. Being many in the forces had its toll on the people as many participated and got killed in the different internal conflicts in Uganda. The major conflicts that the Acholi have suffered since Uganda got independence are: the Kabaka’s palace invasion in 1967; the war against Amin regimes of 1971 to 1979; the Luwero Triangle War of 1980 to 1985; and more so the over 20 years war between the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) of Joseph Kony.
The Acholi have different ways of remembering their dead ones, especially those who perished during wars in accordance to their cultures and tradition. They have the practices of bringing the soul of the dead back home into the shrine; burying the war dead; chasing the evil spirits; and reconciling with the enemy.
This presentation therefore seeks to address the following questions:
1. What were the major conflicts in Uganda, and their root causes?
2. Who are the Acholi and why have they been at the center of these conflicts?
3. What are the cultural and traditional ways of the Acholi remembrance and memoralization of their war dead, and their significance?
4. How can the Acholi contribute to peace and stability in Uganda as a nation with many ethnic groups?