GURU GURU HILLS

If you feel the soul of a bush lover, you can venture to the hills of Guru Guru, about 20 kilometres northwest of Gulu (in orthodromic line). In addition to the superb views they offer over the surrounding plains, these tree-speckled granite eminences are an important historical site for the Lamogi clan. In 1911, the members of this Acholi clan rebelled against the protectorate authorities who wanted, among other things, to register and tax the firearms in circulation in the north of the country. During this troubled period, which ended with the "pacification" of the region in 1912, most of the Lamogi found refuge in the Guru Guru Hills where, according to the current clan chief, they ate bats and fruit for several months. During the clashes, between 600 and 700 Lamogi were injured or killed (many of them as a result of poisoning of one of the drinking water sources in the hills). Government forces suffered ten casualties (two dead and eight wounded). In order to commemorate this event and, more generally, to develop tourism in the Amuru district, the Guru Guru site was opened to the general public in 2017. For the time being, due to the lack of facilities, the number of visitors, especially foreign visitors, remains confidential. If you wish to go there and benefit from a guide, do not hesitate to speak with the actors of tourism in Gulu.