20th century
Northern Uganda
The Acholi revolt of 1911 opposed British colonial rule in northern Uganda. It responded to labour recruitment and a colonial campaign to disarm the population, which sought to prevent the colonized from possessing firearms. The Acholi refused to surrender their guns voluntarily but were defeated in the ensuing confrontation.
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The Story
In 1911, the Acholi of northern Uganda revolted against British colonial rule. The movement arose in response to two connected pressures: the recruitment of labour and an effort by colonial authorities to disarm the population. Labour recruitment imposed the needs of the colonial economy, while disarmament sought to reduce the ability of local communities to resist coercion.
Colonial authorities considered the removal of firearms essential to the exercise of domination. The campaign to collect arms was intended to leave the colonized population helpless in the face of exploitation and to prevent armed opposition. The Acholi rejected this demand and refused to surrender their guns voluntarily.
The dispute became an armed confrontation. Although the Acholi resisted the disarmament campaign, they lost the ensuing fight. The revolt illustrates how labour policy and weapons control could combine to provoke resistance in the early years of colonial rule.
20th century
Northern Uganda
The Acholi revolt of 1911 opposed British colonial rule in northern Uganda. It responded to labour recruitment and a colonial campaign to disarm the population, which sought to prevent the colonized from possessing firearms. The Acholi refused to surrender their guns voluntarily but were defeated in the ensuing confrontation.
Continue exploring
The Story
In 1911, the Acholi of northern Uganda revolted against British colonial rule. The movement arose in response to two connected pressures: the recruitment of labour and an effort by colonial authorities to disarm the population. Labour recruitment imposed the needs of the colonial economy, while disarmament sought to reduce the ability of local communities to resist coercion.
Colonial authorities considered the removal of firearms essential to the exercise of domination. The campaign to collect arms was intended to leave the colonized population helpless in the face of exploitation and to prevent armed opposition. The Acholi rejected this demand and refused to surrender their guns voluntarily.
The dispute became an armed confrontation. Although the Acholi resisted the disarmament campaign, they lost the ensuing fight. The revolt illustrates how labour policy and weapons control could combine to provoke resistance in the early years of colonial rule.