Exploring Colonial Portrayals in Ugandan and Swedish History Textbooks : A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract: This study aims to examine and compare the representations of the colonial era in history textbooks from Uganda and Sweden to broaden the understanding of colonial discourses. Utilizing critical discourse analysis (CDA), it seeks to uncover and emphasize the variations in colonial discourse between the two countries. Findings reveal a nuanced portrayal of colonial history in Ugandan textbooks, characterized by complex and conflicting relationships between colonizers and the colonized, yet heavily patriarchal and overlooking women’s experiences. On the other hand, Swedish textbooks present a stereotypical and dualistic portrayal of colonizers’ cruelty and colonized inferiority. A potential implication from the analysis is that these different representations could impact students’ perspectives and identities, at both individual and societal levels.