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Item THE HISTORY OF STONE WALLS IN LAMWO DISTRICT IN NORTHERN UGANDA (1850 – 2025)(Gulu University, 2026-10-18) LAKER ANGIOLETA KATYAThe study investigated the historical origins, construction techniques, and symbolic meanings of the stone walls in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda, from 1850 to 2025, addressing a significant gap in the documentation of pre-colonial Acholi architecture. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study adopted a historical and ethnographic design, combining oral interviews with elders and key informants to capture communal memory and indigenous knowledge. These accounts were validated through archival sources and field observations, including physical measurements and photographic documentation of the stone wall architecture and masonry patterns. The findings revealed that these dry-stone structures, locally known as Gogo, originated as defensive fortifications during the migration of the Palabek and Paloga clans and served as strategic centers during the era of long-distance trade and colonial resistance. The study also detailed a sophisticated indigenous engineering system that utilized interlocking “male” and “female” stones and defensive features such as opiding (portholes), while highlighting the walls’ function as a social picture that reflected chiefdom hierarchies and spiritual boundaries. The study concluded that the walls constituted a vital component of Uganda’s cultural heritage, which challenged colonial narratives of regional stagnation, contributing new knowledge regarding gendered stone classification and indigenous measurement systems. Consequently, the researcher recommended the formal gazetting of these sites for heritage tourism and called for further archaeological dating and conflict resolution regarding clan ownership to ensure the long-term preservation of this living history.Item INDIGENOUS POST-HARVEST PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON FOOD SECURITY IN ALEBTONG DISTRICT 1980-2022; A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE(2026-10-20) OJOK SAM OMARAThis study explored the role of indigenous post-harvest practices on food security in Alebtong District from 1980 to 2022. It aimed to: (1) examine existing indigenous post-harvest food management practices among the Lango; (2) investigate the historical trend of food security in Alebtong District between 1980 and 2022; and (3) examine the relationship between these practices and food security. Using a qualitative historical research approach, participatory observations, semi-structured oral interviews (including 7 key informant interviews), and 4 focus group discussions (20 participants) were conducted with 77 participants (43 women, 34 men) aged 40-92 years. The findings reveal that traditional practices like threshing, winnowing, sun-drying, smoking, fermentation, and granary storage remain crucial for preserving food among the Lango. However, challenges such as pest infestation, climate change, and labor intensity limit their sustainability. The historical analysis reveals five distinct phases: conflict-induced food crisis (1980-1989); continued insecurity and humanitarian dependence (1990-1999); post-conflict recovery (2000-2009); modern agricultural transition (2010-2019); and climate-economic challenges (2020-2022). The 1980s “Kalodo” drought represents a pivotal famine event that fundamentally altered local food management strategies. The study concludes that indigenous practices demonstrate significant resilience value, and recommends integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technologies, implementing climate-smart agricultural training that builds on local knowledge, improving market access for preserved traditional foods, and developing district-level policies that recognize indigenous knowledge systems as outlined in NDPIII (2020/21-2024/2025) and SDG 4.7 on education for sustainable development. Key words: Indigenous post-harvest practices, Food security, Alebtong District, Lango, Traditional food managementItem Refugee-host communities and resource access at Palabek refugee settlement in Lamwo District, northern Uganda: a historical analysis (2017-2025)(GULU UNIVERSITY, 2026) OKWIR ALLAN DANIELThis study examined resource access among refugee and host communities in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Lamwo District, Northern Uganda, from 2017 to 2025. Its objectives were to explore the settlement’s history, establish evolving refugee resource needs, investigate resource-sharing dynamics, and examine experiences of accessing resources. The study adopted a qualitative historical-ethnographic design involving 118 participants selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observation and documentary review, and analysed using content, narrative and chronological analysis. Findings revealed a shift from emergency assistance towards self-reliance through vocational training and economic empowerment. Although resource sharing and cultural interactions promoted cooperation, limited resources contributed to food insecurity, overcrowded schools and health facilities, inadequate healthcare, and competition between refugees and host communities. The study concludes that the transition towards self-reliance remains fragile. It recommends strengthening livelihood and food security programmes, improving access to land and employment, investing in essential social services and infrastructure, and promoting equitable resource sharing and peaceful coexistence.Item THE CHANGING PATTERN OF ACOLI TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE IN LAMWO DISTRICT: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE FROM 1910 - 2020(Gulu University, 2024) ORAC JIMMYThis study aimed to investigate the changing pattern of Acoli traditional marriage in Lamwo district. The research was guided by the following objectives: to find out nature of Acoli traditional marriage, to explore the new forms and nature of marriage in Acoli society, and to find out the reasons for the changing pattern of Acoli traditional marriage. A case study approach was employed. A sample of 75 respondents were selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques from a total population of 85 individuals. Data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed in line with the research objectives and subsequently converted into text format. The findings revealed that the nature of Acoli traditional marriage have remained with minor changes. The study also found that there are new forms of marriage within the Acoli societies in Lamwo. The research also indicated factors such as employment, financial status, and educational level causing changes to tradition marriage. The study concludes that Acoli traditional marriage in Lamwo have undergone limited alterations, it further concludes that there are new forms of marriages practiced by the Acoli people. Furthermore, the research concludes that employment, financial stability, and educational background are key factors contributing to these changes in marriage.Item The Unheard Narratives of Children Born in the Lord’s Resistance Army Captivity in Acholi Sub-region, Northern Uganda (1987-2025).(Gulu University, 2026-10-08) OCHEN PATRICKAbstract This study documented the unheard narratives of children born in captivity (CBIC) during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict in the Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda, 1987–2025. The study pursued four objectives: to interrogate the experiences of CBIC; examine the integration programmes and practices affecting them; investigate the challenges encountered in integration; and assess the effects of those challenges on their lives. Guided by a qualitative constructivist approach and an exploratory historical design, the study used one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, future-oriented participatory workshops, meetings with women’s organisations, key informant interviews, and documentary review. The primary narrative sample comprised 58 young adults born in LRA captivity, supported by 30 FGD participants and contextual accounts from 17 key informants and participants in workshops and meetings. The findings show that CBIC experienced violence, deprivation, disrupted family and cultural ties, and persistent stigma during and after the conflict. Integration was not absent altogether; rather, it was uneven and fragmented. Uganda’s transitional-justice framework provides a broad basis for social reintegration and reparations, but the policy and documentary evidence reviewed for this study did not show a consistently operationalised, dedicated support package for CBIC. At family and community levels, acceptance varied according to maternal support, clan recognition, cultural practices, education, livelihood opportunities, and individual agency. The main challenges were stigma, family and clan rejection, weak legal identity and documentation, educational and livelihood exclusion, identity disruption, and psychosocial distress. The effects were psychological, social, cultural, economic, and civic, including difficulties in belonging, access to land and services, participation in community life, and engagement with formal institutions. The study concludes that integration should be understood as a long-term process of social, cultural, economic, and civic inclusion rather than simply physical return. It recommends survivor-centred implementation of transitional-justice measures, improved birth registration and identification support, sustained psychosocial services, educational and livelihood opportunities, community and clan dialogue, and meaningful participation of CBIC in programmes and policies that affect them.Item A History of Yakani Spirit among the Lugbara of Terego in the West Nile Region of Uganda 1883-2025(Gulu Univesity, 2026-10-17) Candiru ZainabThis study investigates the historical evolution and socio-political significance of the Yakani Spirit among the Lugbara of Terego in Uganda’s West Nile region from 1883 to 2025. It traces its transformation from a strong anti-colonial resistance movement into a resilient contemporary cultural and spiritual practice. The specific objectives were; (i) To establish the origin and evolution of Yakani Spirit belief among the Terego people in the West Nile Region from 1883 2025, (ii) To explore the rituals and practices associated with Yakani Spirit among the Terego people in the West Nile Region from 1883-2025, (iii) To examine the impact of external influences, including Christianity, Islam, and modernization, on the traditional beliefs and practices related to Yakani Spirit among the Terego people from 1883-2025, (iv) To assess the effect of Yakani Spirit belief and practices on the Terego people from 1883-2025. Utilizing a qualitative historical-ethnographic methodology involving oral narratives from Participant, and focus group discussions, the research examines how the spirit provided communal unity against external aggression and navigated severe colonial suppression to maintain its relevance. The findings indicate that Yakani Spirit among the Terego people originated from South Sudan through cross-border interactions linking figures of Azibo, Mirio Omba, and Rembe. Yakani Spirit was important to the spiritual, social, and cultural life of the Terego people, with rituals and practices that served as moral order, communal cohesion, and continuity of ancestral knowledge. The findings also revealed that Christianity, Islam, and modernization reshaped Yakani Spirit beliefs among the Terego people, discouraging public rituals and Introducing new worldviews. The Yakani Spirit belief and practice had significant social, economic, political, and judicial effects among the people of Terego in the West Nile District. Consequently, the study concludes that the spirit remains a cornerstone of regional heritage and recommends that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities formally document its historical sites while educational institutions integrate these indigenous knowledge systems into local curricula to preserve the mysterious legacy of the Lugbara people.Item MATRIARCHY AND THE STATE FORMATION OF BUGANDA FROM 1856 TO 2022(Gulu University, 2025) BRENDAH NAKABIITOABSTRACT There is sufficient evidence in historical scholarship that public interest in primitive matriarchies has been revived globally. Suddenly magazine articles, journal articles and books appear attesting to a former rule by women, this is partly because no matriarchies persist anywhere at the present time and because primary sources recounting them were totally lacking. This study investigated the contribution of matriarchy to state formation of Buganda Kingdom. It was guided by the following specific objectives namely; to examine how Buganda kingdom was organized; to assess the nature of Matriarchy in Buganda kingdom and examine the influential royal women and the role they played in state formation of Buganda. The study used qualitative methods and data was collected using interview guide. Data was analyzed thematically according to similarity of responses in relation to study objectives. My findings revealed that Buganda kingdom was a centralized polity organized politically, economically, socially and culturally with the Kabaka as a cultural leader and head of state. Buganda was organized into administrative units with the Kabaka at the centre and the chiefs at the periphery. My study also found out that the nature of Matriarchy was women rule at one time in history and there was matrilineality but most important matriarchy in Buganda was considered from the contribution of women to state formation and finally research question three, findings revealed that there were a number of influential royal women who contributed in various capacities to state formation while other women emerged as unique personalities and contributed to Buganda. It was concluded that Buganda kingdom was a centralized polity with well organized political, social economic and cultural structure and matriarchy contributed immensely to state formation. It was recommended that Oral information should be written and achieved in counties, sub-counties, parishes and villages to enable people access information about Buganda.Item The Changing Pattern of Acoli Traditional Marriege in Lamwo District: A Historical Perspective from 1910-2020(Gulu University, 2024) Orac JimmyThis study aimed to investigate the changing pattern of Acoli traditional marriage in Lamwo district. The research was guided by the following objectives: to find out nature of Acoli traditional marriage, to explore the new forms and nature of marriage in Acoli society, and to find out the reasons for the changing pattern of Acoli traditional marriage. A case study approach was employed. A sample of 75 respondents were selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques from a total population of 85 individuals. Data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed in line with the research objectives and subsequently converted into text format. The findings revealed that the nature of Acoli traditional marriage have remained with minor changes. The study also found that there are new forms of marriage within the Acoli societies in Lamwo. The research also indicated factors such as employment, financial status, and educational level causing changes to tradition marriage. The study concludes that Acoli traditional marriage in Lamwo have undergone limited alterations. it further concludes that there are new forms of marriages practiced by the Acoli people. Furthermore. the research concludes that employment. financial stability, and educational background are key factors contributing to these changes in marriage.Item Hurban Development And Natural Vegetation Change: A Historical Analysis Of Gulu City From 1911 To 2021(Gulu Uiversity, 2023-10) OJOK OBWONA MICHAELThis was a historical study of urban development and natural vegetation change of Gulu City from 1911 to 2021. The global society has of recent been witnessing spatial expansion of urbanization which has a bearing on natural vegetation. There however, seemed to be no proper documentation of the effects urban development on natural change to guide future redirection in low resourced urbanizing societies, Gulu City being one of them. The study was therefore set to determine the historical urban development of Gulu city from 1911 to 2021 and its effect on the natural vegetation of the area. It precisely documented the trend of urban development, determined the status of the gazetted urban green spaces, and assessed the effect of the spatial extent of urbanization on natural vegetation. The study adopted a historical research design which was descriptive in nature - secondary data sources were analyzed and later triangulated with qualitative data from older persons of both gender who witnessed the changing pattern of urbanization and natural vegetation changes. The findings show that Gulu City has been witnessing an increasing population size which though declined at some point due to insecurity, generally rose at an increasing rate over the years between 1911 and 2021. The study also found that the urban built up area has been evolving over the years at an exponential rate with natural green spaces constituting of the wetlands and the planted forests alongside the forest reserves coexisting. The study concluded that the exponential spatial expansion of the built-up area of Gulu City was crucial to the characteristic decline in the natural vegetation over the years from 1911 to 2021. The study recommended among others, the need for the urban planning authority of Gulu City in collaboration with the local leadership to foster faster tracking of the preservation of the natural green spaces identified and earmarked in the urban plans. The study also recommended that the physical planners for the various residential setups, institutions, and factories for industrial development along the commercial buildings should develop plans that integrate alternative approaches to natural greening of the prospective urban setups.