Soroti Rock | Eastern Uganda’s Landmark Granite Outcrop
Soroti rock sits in almost the centre of Soroti town. It is another spot for hiking lovers found in Eastern Uganda. Soroti rock lies near lake Kyoga and mountain Elgon can be seen while at it’s peak. The striking granite formation has become one of Soroti district’s tourist sites of the current generation. It is approximately 90m high. The rock can be sighted when you are anywhere in Soroti town.
How to get there
Soroti district is located in eastern part of Uganda, it can be accessed by road transport as well as air transport. It is 350 km from Kampala city. The journey has along very many adventures before one reaches Soroti district. It take approximately 6 hours by road and 47 minutes by air.
From kampala city, you go through Mukono town ,the industrious Jinja town where you can view the river nile, the new suspended bridge and lake victoria, the sister Busembatya and Namutumba districts ,then you will approach Budaka district which is the last district before you reach mbale. As you get closer to Mbale town, the Wanale ridge is viewed at almost 25km away from Mbale,along the way , Uganda clays Kamonkoli is also sited. Mbale town is a bright and beautiful town where you feel welcomed as you enter with nature at it’s best.
While in Mbale town one can have a snack before proceeding to Soroti district which will be more 120km remaining. From Mbale, the 2 hours and 30mins journey has Islamic University in Uganda along the main road, Bukedea district and Kumi district are a sign you are nearing. Along the way still is Ngora district the home of Awoja swamp. The Awoja River and Swamp connects Lake Kyoga to Lake Bisina.The soroti rock is sighted a few Kms and you entre the town of Soroti.
There other exciting tours around soroti town that can spice up the hike.
Visit the Soroti people and learn their Culture
History has it that the Itesots originated from south Sudan. Along their movement, some seperated and moved southwards. Itesos are known as agriculturalists. Iteso clan names reveal a history of long-standing ethnic interactions. Names of Bantu and Northern Nilotic origin are found among them. They speak the language called, “ateso”.
The itesots live in the household; the neighborhood and government-defined units as their political set up.The precolonial Iteso were organized into territorial units called itemwan(fireplaces).
The itesots believed in various believes amongst themselves, they include; “akuj: which meant high, “edeke” which meant illness, “ajokin” who were believed to have been littles spirits of the bush,. One would get a chance to be taught about these beliefs amongst the itesots.
Millet and sorghum is their staple food though later cassava was introduced to them as a substitute. Women grow vegetables in gardens next to their sleeping houses and gather various wild foods while the Men had cattle grazed them on a small scale since they were not nomads naturally. The itesots also grow cotton and several cash crops, they are good fishermen since they have lake kyoga at their reach.
The itesots have a traditional dance and is performed at various ceremonies like weddings, introductions and even graduations. The itesots also perform their dances on the Annual Iteso Cultural Heritage Festival.
Near attractive sights around soroti that you can add to your bucket list are; The Nyero rock paintings in Kumi district, Mountain Elgon in Mbale, Lake Kyoga, Wanale Ridge in Mbale and Sipi falls in Kapchorwa district.
