It was DC Hannington (Bwana Mbuzi) who laid the initial foundations of Gulu in October 1910. ADC Mr. C.E.E Sullivan (Bwana Abusingit) then took over in January 1911.
In 1912, Hannington returned and erected the main permanent office structures well into 1913. Gulu at this time also served as the administrative centre of Lango until 1917 when Lira Town was opened. This spurred its development.
Rwot Awich Abok Lutanymoi of Payira and Okello Mwoka Lengomoi of Puranga among others played a role in assembling labourers required for the construction effort of Gulu. It was not entirely plain sailing though as in 1917 war broke out between Payira Chiefdom and Labongo Chiefdom over the construction of Gulu to Kitgum road when the Labongo defied Rwot Aliker’s (son of Awich and the then Rwot of East Payira) call for them to provide unpaid labour (tic luroni). Scores were killed in this conflict. The road was eventually built.
In 1914 when Chua district was opened with its headquarters in Kitgum, Gulu remained the HQ for Gulu district. However in 1937 the British merged Gulu and Chua districts to form Acholi District with its headquarters in Gulu. This lasted until 1971 when Acholi district was again split into West Acholi district with Gulu as its HQ and East Acholi District with its HQ in Kitgum.
In 1974 President Idi Amin abolished districts and reorganised Uganda into ten provinces. Acholiland was under Northern Province until 1980 when Kitgum and Gulu districts were declared.
The NRM government then went on to split Gulu District to form Amuru, Nwoya and Omoro districts, whilst Agago, Pader, and Lamwo were carved out of Kitgum District. Gulu town would then go on to become a municipality.
In May 2019 Gulu Municipality was elevated to city status and remains the main administrative and commercial centre of Gulu District.
Pictured below is Gulu in 1900 and as it is today in 2019. A remarkable transformation indeed; and that journey continues. Congratulations Gulu!
END
Researched by William Okidi - 16.11.19 - London.
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#Gulu City 2019
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