In 1906 he joined Chief Bambatha (also Bambata) and other chiefs in the rebellion against the imposition of the Poll Tax by the colonial government. During the rebellion, Sigananda\'s kraal was burned and his stronghold attacked by Zululand police. Many people fled their homes in fear. Bambatha was killed, and Sigananda and Mangati became fugitives, successfully evading the government's troops for some time. Yet, knowing the loss would be too great if the fight was to continue, Inkosi Sigananda surrendered and was immediately placed in prison. During his short imprisonment, Inkosi Sigananda seemed in good health and quite communicative. Yet his body was unable to adapt to the changed circumstances of prison and he died in June 1906 in the Inkandla jail.