Ukha is on the western slopes of Thangjing Hill, one of the tallest peaks of the state, in Churachandpur district.

Early 20th century British maps show a road passing through Ukha, which leads to Chothe Munpi in the west, and Kangvai in the east.

Ukha is listed in the Gazetteer of Manipur as a village at an elevation of 3,500 ft (1,100 m), with a population of 150 people belonging to the "Changput subdivision of the Kongjai Kuki tribe".

In early 1917, the local chiefs met at Ukha to discuss the emerging conflict with the British authorities.

[12] On 25 December, the British Political Agent J. C. Higgins went with a force to the foothills of Thangjing Hill to punish the Ukha Kukis.

[16] Eventually the rebellion was suppressed only by wholesale destruction of villages, including their livestock and foodgrains, and driving the people into the woods to starve, along with women and children.

The original intention appears to have to been to stay at Ukha, but the village did not have enough food supplies to support them and it was not considered safe enough either.