Soroti was one of the
Uganda 2000 project towns and hosted a visit of 5 U.K. Scouts. The two groups camped together within the town limits when Friendships were made and continue to this day. In January 2002 a small group of leaders returned to Soroti in order to propose a further visit. The proposal was warmly received by the Soroti Scout Association and a tentative agreement made to host a contingent from the UK in August 2003. It is our intention to attend a joint camp of
Soroti and UK Scouts with a Community project, as yet unknown.
In 2000 we helped plant trees on a newly acquired Scout camp site, visited a local school, helped in the community and designed a Soroti district badge to promote the identity of scouting in Soroti and Uganda.
The proposed projects in 2003 focus around the themes of Scouting, Education and the Community and include: further development of the Scout site in Soroti with a small hut to house site warden for security purposes, build a fence around the perimeter to stop neighbouring farmers encroaching on the land and to continue the tree planting programme. We also aim to help with the refurbishment of a local school and a day working in the community.
In addition to this our programme will include seeing national attractions, a safari, an East African Jamboree and other adventurous activities such as climbing Mt. Elgon and white water rafting on the Nile.
There are 14 participants in the Soroti contingent, made up of Explorer Scouts, Network Scouts and Leaders from the counties of East Sussex and Surrey.
Soroti
Soroti is a town situated 180 miles North East of the Ugandan Capital city Kampala. The town has had a turbulent past and was in the hands of insurgents until approximately seven years ago. Scouting virtually disappeared in the years of unrest losing most of their stores and equipment. The land around the town is completely flat with Lake Kyoga lying to the South West. Although the surrounding lands are flat, rocky outcrops rise out of the ground in places, none more spectacular than Soroti rock.
The architecture reflects it's multicultural past and it's multi denominational present. At the old Colonial part of the town one can see English style houses, whilst lining the main streets you will find buildings which commemorate the Asian influence on the town. Crennelated Mosques call to the Muslims that make up 40 % of the populace, At ground level these buildings are mostly shop fronts.
Close to the centre of town lies the Market place, a bustling area of commerce. Very few goods are imported so that items such as irons, cooking pots, stoves etc are made from old leftover drums or cars or whatever the makers can get hold of.
Scouting is based mainly in schools. Each school would have it's own troop and Scouting is considered a very important part of education. Scouts are held in high regard and are expected to maintain high standards. Community work is a vital and important part of Scouting, possibly helping to maintain the nearby villages, burying rubbish or cutting grass.
Soroti suffered agreat deal over the tempestuous years. Seven years ago the town was in the hands of insurgents. Much work has gone into rebuilding but it is a slow process. Scouting in Soroti disappeared in those troubled years but has resurged again. The Scouts have been allocated 20 acres of land outside the town for Scouting uses. At the moment it is virgin land farmed only by itinerant farmers. It is hoped that in the future the Scouts will have their own base. The land needs to be fenced and a caretaker installed. This may be the project for the future.
