Soroti City is celebrating its rich cultural heritage following the launch of the Soroti Historic Properties Book. The event, held at the home of the late Chief Eria Paulo Engulu, was organised by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) in partnership with Soroti City authorities and local stakeholders.
The book documents Soroti’s important historic buildings and landmarks, highlighting their value to the community and the need to protect them for future generations.
The launch attracted guests from the Engulu family, Soroti City Council, the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), religious and business leaders, students, and residents. The day began with prayers, national anthems, and a tour of Chief Engulu’s historic residence, followed by a lively performance by Soroti Municipal Secondary School’s Heritage Club.
The Engulu family thanked CCFU for selecting their home as the launch venue, calling it a “special way to honour the memory of Chief Engulu.” They remembered him as a leader who valued education, the environment, and community development, noting his role in starting Teso College Aloet and Madera School for the Blind.
Mr. Fredrick Nsibambi from CCFU said the organisation chose to document Soroti because many old buildings in the city are at risk of being destroyed. He explained that the book covers a range of sites — from schools and churches to trading centres, that tell the story of Soroti’s growth.
“Even if we can’t stop all demolitions, we can keep the stories alive through documentation,” he said. He also encouraged Soroti City to pass a law protecting historic sites and to involve CCFU in city planning so that heritage becomes part of development.”
The Soroti City Tourism Officer praised the Engulu family and CCFU for promoting cultural heritage, saying the city will turn the Engulu home into a learning site for visitors. He urged residents to start preserving their own family histories.
Mr. David Owere, Chairperson of the Iteso Cultural Union, said the book had inspired his organisation to identify other cultural sites across Teso. “This work gives us a starting point to protect and promote our heritage,” he said.
Owners of some of the documented sites, such as the Camp Swahili Mosque, shared how they have worked to maintain their buildings. They thanked CCFU for recognising their efforts and reminding the community of their importance.
The Soroti City Physical Planner also welcomed the book, saying it would help guide construction decisions and prevent the loss of buildings that tell the city’s story.
The Chief Guest, Rt. Bishop Opaikol, praised CCFU for launching the book at Chief Engulu’s home. He described the late Chief as “a man who helped shape Teso’s identity” and said preserving heritage helps people understand their past and build a stronger future.
The Bishop joined other guests, including young people, in officially launching the Soroti Historic Properties Book.
The event marked a key step in preserving Teso’s culture and history. It brought together community members, leaders, and cultural institutions to celebrate their shared heritage and commit to keeping it alive for future generations.
“Heritage connects us to who we are,” one participant said. “If we protect it today, we protect our story forever.”
