Dr. Alidri Agatha

Senior Lecturer


Dr. Agatha Alidri is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at Gulu University where she is the Head of Department, for the Department of History. She is a Post-Doc Fellow under the CECAP (Consolidating Early Career Academics Programmes) funded by Carnegie Foundation at Makerere University. She is a member of the Faculty Board and Higher Degrees Committee of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, and member in a number of Doctoral Committees for PhD students. As Head of Department, she oversees teaching, learning and research in the Department of History. She has rich experience in graduate research supervision and assessment, and has been independent reader for Masters and PhD viva voce.

She has rich experience in interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research and community engagement. Her research area is in the Legal History of Uganda, indigenous communities, indigenous knowledge, adolescent and youth reproductive health and Transitional Justice especially in the West Nile region and Northern Uganda. Her ground breaking research has been in documenting the History of the Ndrukpa ethnic minority group whose history remains scantly documented. She is Coordinator for the BSU (Building Stronger Universities) project funded by Danida (2023-2028). She has been Principal Investigator (PI) for the following projects: CONSCOV Project (2022-2025) funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Documenting the History of the Lendu people (2022-2025) funded by Carnegie Foundation under Makerere CECAP Programme, Uganda’s Past and Ugandan Futures: Debates over government, equality and justice, 1979-80 (2020-2024). She is Work Package II Lead in the UPCHAIN (Unlocking Potentials of the Green Charcoal in Northern Uganda. The research has been translated into policy briefs.

She has over 30 publications comprising Book Chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Qualifications

Institution Period Degree obtained
Makerere University 2022-2024 Post-Doctoral Fellow under the Consolidating Early Career Programme II at Makerere University Carnegie (2022-2024).

 
Makerere University 2021 PhD in History
Law Development Centre 2020 Certificate in Administrative Law at the Law Development Centre (2020
Makerere University 2007 Master of Arts (History)
1999 Bachelor of Education

Research Interests

 

  1. Legal history.
  2. Documenting history of indigenous ethnic minority societies in West Nile and Northern Uganda.
  3. Indigenous knowledge and resource management.
  4. Transitional justice and reparations in northern Uganda.
  5. Children Born of War, socially excluded youth and intergenerational justice in northern Uganda.
  6. Cultural and societal history of ethnic societies in the West Nile region in Uganda.
  7. Adolescent and youth reproductive health
  8. Environmental history and climate change and displacement

ARTICLES AND BOOKS UNDER REVIEW

Alidri, A. Book Manuscript on: ‘The History of the Ndrukpa People of Uganda’. Manuscript undergoing review 2025
Gissel, L. E., Apechu, L. S., Otto, B. A., & Alidri, A. (2024). Uganda’s Intergenerational Justice Challenge by ‘Floating’Youth Born of War. [Under review]. Under review 2024

 

POLICY BRIEFS

Alidri Agatha, Judith Awacorach, Emily Uramba Kayeny, Filda Anicia, Winnie Apio, William Odinga, B., Patrick Ochen, Patrick Kabwijamu, Susan Whyte & Hanne Overgaard (December 2024). Health is social: Uganda’s Health Services require a client-friendly Approach. Printed 2024
Alidri Agatha, William Odinga, John Peter Opio, Charlotte Karungi Mafumbo & Brian Mikuma (June 2024). ‘Marginalisation of the Ndrukpa’. Printed 2024
Okello Simon, Alidri Agatha, & Leonie Eva Benker (April, 2024). ‘Opportunities and challenges of Green charcoal in Urban and rural settings. Policy Brief under UPCHAIN Project. Printed 2024
Stella, L., Ben, A., Agatha, A., Francis, A., and Charles, O. ‘Meaningful Reparations for Northern Uganda’ Policy Brief March 2023. Printed 2023

Publications

Akello, F., Alidri, A., Okello, S., & Amongin, H. (2025) . (2025) . Parental Roles and the Implementation of Home-Based Learning During COVID-19: A Study of Selected Primary Schools in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda . East African Journal of Education Studies, 8(4)
Alidri, A., Uramba, E., Anicia, F., Apio, W., Ochen, P., Kabwijamu, P., Okello, S., Giramiya, E., Musaasizi, R., Tumanye, S., Awor, S., & Nyamungu, P. (2025). . (2025) . Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health Treatment-Seeking Behaviour in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic in Gulu City, Northern Uganda . East African Journal of Health and Science, 8(3)
Alidri, A., Uramba, E., Anicia, F., Apio, W., Ochen, P., Kabwijamu, P., Okello, S., Nyamungu, P., Giramiya, E., Musaasizi, R., Tumanye, S., Awor, S., Atube, F., & Okumu, C. (2025). . (2025) . The Silent Impact of Pandemic: COVID-19 and Adolescent-Youth Reproductive Health in Acholi Sub-Region in Uganda . East African Journal of Health and Science, 8(3)
Mbazalire, E., Alidri, A., Okello, S., Christine, A., Atube, F., Okello, C., Mogensen, H., & Okumu, C. (2025) . (2025) . Historizing Gender in Household Production and Use of Cooking Fuels in Amuru District, Northern Uganda . East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(2)
Agatha, A., Atube, F., Okello, S., Aoyo, C., Ringitho, R., Okello, C., & Okumu, C. (2025). . (2025) . Unpacking the Concept “Green Charcoal,” A Cooking Fuel Innovation: The Gulu University Interdisciplinary Experience . East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, [online] Volume 8(2). Available at: https://journals.eanso.org/index.php/eajenr/article/view/3424
Aciro, T., Alidri, A., Nuwategeka, E., & Lajul, W. (2025). . (2025) . A critical analysis of western environmental knowledge as a neocolonial strategy: The case of Uganda
Nancy, S. L., Alidri, A., Okello, S., Ochen, P. & Reynolds, S. W. (2025) . (2025) . Climate Refugees and Forced Migrations: Emerging Refugee Question in Lamwo District in Northern Uganda . African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 4(1), pp. 426-444
Alidri, A. (2025). . (2025) . Decolonising or Localising Higher Education in the Global South?: Historical Perspective of Transforming Education under the South-North Collaboration in Gulu University . In: , Dirckinck-Holmfeld. Available at: https://brill.com/display/book/9789004731585/BP000015.xml
. (2025) . Educational Leadership Styles and Quality of Primary Education in Gulu City, Northern Uganda . In: , Transforming Higher Education for Community Development, pp. 133-155. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392921876_Educational_Leadership_Styles_and_Quality_of_Primary_Education_in_Gulu_City_Northern_Uganda
Alidri, A., Okello, S., Ochen, P., Tukupe, O. D. & Aure, O. R. (2025) . (2025) . Beyond Modern Science: Ryemo Gemo (Chasing Away Evil Spirits), Tradition and Faith during the COVID-19 Pandemic among the Acoli in Northern Uganda . East African Journal of Traditions, Culture and Religion, 8(1)
Alidri, A. & Owinjrwoth, G. C. (2025). . (2025) . Spirituality, Healing and Indigenous Knowledge in Herbal Medicine: A Case of the Ndrukpa Ethnic Minority in Uganda . East African Journal of Traditions, Culture and Religion, 8(1)
Ochen, P., Alidri, A., & Kabwijamu, P. (2025). . (2025) . Gender Dimensions of Aguu (Socially Excluded Youth) in Gulu City, Northern Uganda . African Journal of History and Geography,, 4(1), pp. 23-39
Patrick Kabwijamu, Agatha Alidri, Expedito Nuwategeka, Omara John Christopher, Patrick Ochen . (2025) . Effects of Climate Change on Fort Patiko Historical Site in Northern Uganda . African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 4(1)
Omara, C. J., Alidri, A., Okello, S., Ochen, P., & Kabwijamu, P. (2025) . (2025) . Street Language and Social Survival in Gulu City: Insights from Aguu, the Socially Excluded Youth . East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 8(1)
Alidri, A. (2025) . (2025) . Yakani Spirit in the Making of Spirituality and Social Order among the Lugbara of Uganda. . East African Journal of Traditions, Culture and Religion, [online] Volume 8(1), pp. 72-89. Available at: https://journals.eanso.org/index.php/eajtcr/article/view/3078
Aciro, T., Alidri, A., Nuwategeka, E., & Lajul, W. (2025). . (2025) . A critical analysis of western environmental knowledge as a neocolonial strategy: The case of Uganda . Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Education, [online] Volume 4(2). Available at: https://ir.gu.ac.ug/items/d78b7872-db88-4749-9b73-d4ca9f6cfb98
Ochen, P., Bosco, O. J., Okello, S. & Alidri, A. (2025) . (2025) . An Inquiry into the Lived Experiences of Child Soldiers within the Lord’s Resistance Army Insurgency in Amuru District, 1987-2024 . African Journal of History and Geography, 4(1)
Ochen, P., Alidri, A. & Simon, O. (2025) . (2025) . Parliaments and Post-Conflict Justice: Amplifying the Voices of Children Born in LRA Captivity in Northern Uganda . International Journal of Geopolitics and Governance, 4(1), pp. 242-256
Esther, G., Agatha, A. & Pamela, O. P. (2025) . (2025) . Affirmative Action Policies and Female Education in Gulu University: An African Philosophical Perspective . East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences,, 8(3), pp. 66-83
Alidri, A. (2025) . (2025) . Arua means ‘In Prison’: Resources in Colonial Punishment Practices . Journal of Peace and security studies. , [online] Volume -1. Available at: https://jpss.ug/index.php/journals/making-resources-in-northern-uganda/arua-means-in-prison-resources-in-colonial-punishment-practices/
Odama, S., Alidri, A. & Iben, J (2025) . (2025) . Leadership Styles and Transformation of Primary Education in Gulu City, Northern Uganda (Chapter Seven) . In: , In Dirckinck-Holmfeld, L., Tabo, G. O., Okumu, C., Kattenhøj, M., & Lassen, I. (Eds.) (forthcoming 2025). Transforming Higher Education for Community Development. Participatory Reflection on a Decade of Mutual Capacity-Building in Northern Uganda
Alidri, A., Mafumbo, C. K., & Opio, P. J. (2024) . (2024) . A History of the Ndrukpa (Lendu): The Invisible Ethnic Minority Community in Uganda . African Journal of History and Geography, 3(1)
Alidri, A., Mafumbo, C. K., & Opio, P. J. (2024) . (2024) . A History of the Ndrukpa (Lendu): The Invisible Ethnic Minority Community in Uganda
Okello, S., Alidri, A., Mbazalire, E., Aoyo, C., Atube, F., Collins, O., & Okumu, C. N. (2024). . (2024) . Experiences with Green Charcoal: A Gender Consideration of Rural and Urban Households in Gulu District . East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 7(1)
Agatha Alidri., Simon Okello, Ezekiel Mbazaliire & Geoffrey Osborn Oceng (2024). . (2024) . Historicising Land Conflicts And The Balaalo Factor In Northern Uganda, 1986-2023 . African Journal of History and Geography , 3(1)
Ongaya, K., Alidri, A., Onen, W. Y., Odongkara, B., & Okumu, C. (2024) . (2024) . Developing a Rational Policy on Plagiarism for Institutions of Higher Education: A Case of Gulu University . East African Journal of Education Studies, 7(3)
Alidri, A. (2024) . (2024) . Indigenous Authority and Justice in State–Society Armed Conflict: A Case of the Uganda National Rescue Front II in Uganda, 1996–2002 . In: , In Mobility, Identity and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Resources Belong to the People (pp. 187-202). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 187–20. Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-61745-4_9
Kizito Ongaya, Agatha Alidri1 Emily Bagarukayo, Benedict Oyo, Charles M. Bazibu, Godfrey Luyimbazi . (2024) . Ontology of Plagiarism: the Non Academic Perspectives
Ongaya, K., Alidri, A., Bagarukayo, E., Oyo, B., Bazibu, C. M., & Luyimbazi, G. (2024) . (2024) . Ontology of Plagiarism: the Non Academic Perspectives . International Journal of Advanced Research, 7(1), pp. 55-70
. (2023) . The Criminalisation of indigenous social control system among the Lugbara by the British colonial Administration in Uganda . Mawazo Journal-Makerere University, 15(1), pp. 114-132
Alidri Agatha . (2022) . Using Emerging Technologies to Innovate the Teaching and Learning of History at Gulu University
Alidri Agatha . (2019) . Alidri, A. 2019. Using Problem Based Learning (PBL) to Enhance Lifelong Learning among University Graduates
Alidri, A. (2019) . (2019) . Using Problem Based Learning (PBL) to Enhance Lifelong Learning among University Graduates . COL conference proceeding
Alidri, A. (2018) . (2018) . Rethinking Indigenous Knowledge in the Maintenance of Law and Order: A Case of the Lugbara of Uganda . International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IJHSS), 6(9)
Alidri, A. (2016) . (2016) . Traditional Wisdom in Land Use and Resource Management among the Lugbara of Uganda: A Historical Perspective . SAGEopen
Alidri Agatha . (2016) . Traditional Wisdom in Land Use and Resource Management Among the Lugbara of Uganda . SAGE Open, 6(3)

Projects

CONSCOV (consequences of covid-19 for adolescent and youth reproductive health) Project
    Dr. Alidri Agatha, Prof. Okumu Charles Nelson, Simon Okello-research Asistant
Building Stronger Universities Phase 4 (BSU4) project
    Dr. Alidri Agatha, Amongin Helen Christine, Dr. Atube Francis(Member)
BSU IV: Life long Learning and Hybrid Learning
    Dr. Okumu John Bismarck, Prof. Okumu Charles Nelson, Dr. Alidri Agatha, Simon Okello - Research Assistant
UPCHAIN Project
    Dr. Alidri Agatha(Project Coordinator), Dr. Atube Francis(member)
Unlocking the Potential of Green Charcoal to Mitigate Climate Change in Northern Uganda (UPCHAIN)
    Dr. Collins Okello, Dr. Alidri Agatha, Dr. Tabo Geoffrey Olok, Prof. Okumu Charles Nelson, Dr. Alidri Agatha
Uganda’s past, Ugandan futures: debates over equality and inclusion in 1979-1980
    Dr. Alidri Agatha(CoI)
Commonwealth of Learning
    Dr. Alidri Agatha(Member)
Building Stronger Universities Phase 3 (BSU3)
    Dr. Alidri Agatha(Project Coordinator)
BSU-PSDR
    Dr. Alidri Agatha
Building Stronger Universities (BSU)
    Prof. Charles N. Okumu, Dr. Agatha Alidri, Dr. Geofrey Tabo, Ms. Judith Awacorach, Assoc. Prof. Komakech Daniel

Supervision

  1. GRADUATE SUPERVISION TO COMPLETION:
  2. Harriet Achola 20/U/2620/MED/PS: Head Teachers’ Conflict Management Strategies and Teachers’ Commitment in Government Aided Primary Schools In Nwoya District
  3. Akena Junior 22/U/0899/MAC/PS: Environmental Security and Water Conflicts! Exploring Conflicts Over Swamps in Tororo District
  4. Olwoch Daniel Evans 22/U/1256/MGE/PS: Analyzing a governance paradigm surrounding the inherent nature and implementation of staff retention policies in public tertiary institutions, A Case of Lira University.
  5. Sinia Pamela, 09/U/2229/MAC: Assessment of Rural Women’s Contribution to Peace Building: A Case Study of Karamoja Region, Uganda.
  6. Afimani Ajionzi Moses 22/U/1531/MAH/PS: Indigenous Knowledge and the Conservation of Vegetation Among the Lugbara of Uganda
  7. Mbazalire Ezekiel 21/U2933/MAH/PS: Introducing Green Charcoal in Northern Uganda: A consideration of Gender in the production, procurement and use of cooking fuels in Amuru District (20th Graduation Ceremony, 24th January 2025).
  8. Okello Simon 21/U/2948/MAH/PS: Advancing Green Charcoal Acceptance in Kabwijamu Patrick 22/U/1558/MAH/PS:The Effect of Climate Change on Historical Sites in Uganda: A Case of Fort Patiko in Gulu District, Northern Uganda from 1972 to 2023.
  9. Northern Ugandan Households: A case study of Gulu City (20th Graduation Ceremony, 24th January 2025).
  10. Giramiya Esther 22/U/1622/MFC/PS: Affirmative Action Policy and Female Education in Gulu University (20th Graduation Ceremony, 24th January 2025).
  11. Opiyo Job Awori 19/U/5126/MED/PS: Community Involvement in University-Community Engagement by Public Universities (20th Graduation Ceremony, 24th January 2025).
  12. Ochira Thomas 20/U/2836/MAC/PS: Navigating the Security Concern of Street Gangs in The Post-Conflict Gulu City. A Case of Laroo- Pece Division (December 2023).
  13. Aciro Tina 21/U/2969/MAH/PS: ‘Historical Evolution of Environmental Knowledge: Implications for Environmental Management Practices in Amuru District’ (1900 – 2022), (19th Graduation Ceremony, 9th February 2024).
  14. Oceng Osborn Geoffrey 21/U/3508/MAH/PS: ‘The NRM Government’s Approach on land conflict in Uganda: A case of Amuru District 2007-2022’ (19th Graduation Ceremony, 9th February 2024).
  15. Onek Richard Aure 20/U/2662/MAH/PS: ‘The History of Military and Politics in Acholi Sub-region: 1872-1985’ (19th Graduation Ceremony, 9th February 2024).
  16. Orac Jimmy 20/U/2665/MAH/PS: ‘The Changing Thinking Pattern of Traditional Marriage in Lamwo District: 1910-2020’ (19th Graduation Ceremony, 9th February 2024).
  1. ONGOING PHD RESEARCH SUPERVISION
  2. Makerere University:
  3. Oyikuru Walter 2022/HD03/23258U: Chiefdoms, Ethnicity and Politics Among Jonam of Uganda 1966 -2008
  1. Gulu University:
  2. Obwona Ojok Michael 24/U/05388/PHD-ED/PS: Cultural Imperialism and its implications on the Development of Museum in Uganda.
  3. Aciro Tina 23/U/4078/PHD-HU/PS: A Historical Analysis Of The Uganda Refugee Model: Policies And Practices (1940-2025)
  4. Alal Susan Blanch 22/U/2200/PHD/PS: Depression and Socio-Economic Participation Among the South Sudanese Refugee Women in Rhino Camp, West Nile Uganda.
  5. Aoyo Christine 18/U/2513/ PhD: Understanding Gender Relations in Cooking Among Smallholder Farmers’ Households: An Energy Transition to Green Charcoal Solutions In Northern Uganda.

 

  1. MASTERS RESEARCH REPORT FOR EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:
  1. Ouma Emmanuel 22/U/2037/MAH/PS: Historicising the Effects of Human Activities on Historical Sites: A Case Study of Nyero Rock Painting in Kumi District in Eastern Uganda (1950 – 2023).
  2. Ojok Sam Omara 21/U/3513/MAH/PS: Indigenous Post-Harvest Practices and Their Implications on Food Security in Alebtong District 1980-2023; A Historical Perspective
  3. Akello Faith 19/U/2628/MED/PS: The Role of Parents and Implementation of Home-based Learning under COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Selected Primary Schools in Lamwo District

 

  1. ONGOING GRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISION:

Master- Faculty of Education and Humanities (10):

  1. Candiru Zainab 24/U/05334/MAH/PS: A History of Yakani Spirit Among the Lugbara of Terego in The West Nile Region of Uganda (1883 to 2025)
  2. Okengo Lazarous 24/U/0683/MAH/PS: The History of The Thur People in Abim District,Northern Uganda: 1885 – 2025
  3. Laker Angioleta Katya 24 /U/ 0658/MAH/PS: The History of Stone Walls in Lamwo District in Northern Uganda: 1850 To 2025.
  4. Nyeko Francis Dominic 24/U/0677/MAH/PS: The Historical Study of Jok Lagoro in East Acoli In Northern Uganda.
  5. Ocen Patrick 23/U/4072/MAH/PS: The unheard narratives of children born in captivity during the LRA war in Northern Uganda.
  6. Laker Winnie 23/U/4060/MAH/PS: Unlocking Historical-Cultural Resources for Sustainable Tourism Development: A Consideration of Gulu District (1960 – 2022)
  7. Okwir Allan Daniel 23/U/3925/MAH/PS: Examining the evolution of climate change refugees and their resource access in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda.
  8. Okello Dickson 23/U/0628/MAH/PS: Exploring the Evolution of Lango Culture in Uganda: The Influence of Westernisation on Lango Traditional Practices.
  9. Lalam Nancy Susan 23/U/627/MAH/P: Climate refugees: Understanding the Concept and Challenges for Climate Refugees in Northern Uganda, A case of Lamwo District (2016-2024)
  10. Ogwal Benon Obwoya 20/U/2659/MAH/PS: Indigenous Knowledge in Environmental Resource Use and Management among the Acholi of Uganda: A case of Gulu District, 1850-2021.

Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies:

  1. Ojimo Tycoon, 22/U/1186/MGE/PS: Exploring the Initiatives of Government After the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) War on Reparations in Northern Uganda, A Case Study of Amuru District.
  2. Okot Emmanuel 22/U/1230/MAC/PS: The Role of Institutions in Cross-District Pastoralists’ Related Conflicts in Katakwi and Napak Districts of Northeastern Uganda

Faculty of Agriculture and Environment (02):

  1. Lumonya Racheal 22/U/1086/MFN/PS: The Nexus Between Traditional Cuisines and Nutritional Contribution Among the Acholi Ethnic Group of Uganda.

 

  1. APPOINTMENT ONTO PHD DOCTORAL COMMITTEE
  2. Obwona Ojok Michael 24/U/05388/PHD-ED/PS: Cultural Imperialism and its implications on the Development of Museum in Uganda
  3. Orac Jimmy 24/U/05387/PHD-ED/PS: Acholi Indigenous Methods for Healing and Reintegrating Survivors of Violent Conflicts into the Community: A case study of Lamwo District.
  4. Yikiru Peace 23/U/4070/PHD-HU/PS: The clause in Lugbarati: Structure and Information Packaging.
  5. Onek Richard Aure 23/ U/4079/ PHD-HU/PS: Revisiting the History Of Rebel Governance Of Lord’s Resistance Army In Uganda: A Native Perspective
  6. Aoyo Christine 18/U/2513/PHD: The Role of Gender in Potential Uptake of Green Charcoal among smallholders Farmers’ Households in Northern Uganda

More Information

Responsibilities

  1. Faculty of Education Representative in the Gulu University Senate (2016-2025).
  2. Faculty of Education Representative in the Graduate Research and Training Board (2020-2025).
  3. Faculty of Education Representative in the Senate Ceremonies committee (2020-2025).
  4. Head of Department -History (2020-2022).