Tororo
Encyclopedia
- For the Japanese yam, see Dioscorea oppositaDioscorea oppositaDioscorea opposita is a type of yam that may be eaten raw....
. For the Sgt. Frog character, see Tororo (Sgt. Frog). For Tororo District, see Tororo DistrictTororo DistrictTororo District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Tororo.-Location:Tororo District is bordered by Mbale District to the north, Manafwa District to the northeast, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Busia District to the south,...
.
Tororo is a town in Eastern Uganda
Eastern Region, Uganda
Eastern Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Tororo District
Tororo District
Tororo District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Tororo.-Location:Tororo District is bordered by Mbale District to the north, Manafwa District to the northeast, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Busia District to the south,...
. The district was named after the town.
Location
The town of Tororo is located approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the town of MalabaMalaba, Uganda
Malaba, Uganda is a town in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda, on Uganda's eastern border with Kenya.-Location:The town is located on the main highway between Kampala and Nairobi, approximately , by road, east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
at the border between Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. This location is approximately 230 kilometres (142.9 mi), by road, east of Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda's capital and largest city. The coordinates of the town are:00 41 34N, 34 10 52E.
Overview
Tororo marks the junction of railway lines to PakwachPakwach
- Location :Pakwach is located in Nebbi District, in West Nile sub-region, in Northern Uganda. It is situated approximately , by road, southeast of Arua, the largest town in West Nile. This location lies along the western bank of the Albert Nile, approximately , by road, southwest of Gulu, the...
, via Soroti
Soroti
Soroti is the main municipal, commercial and administrative centre of Soroti District in Eastern Uganda, lying near Lake Kyoga. It is known for the rock formation near the town as well as a variety of Muslim mosques, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras as well as several churches that meet in various...
and to Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
via Eldoret
Eldoret
Eldoret is a town in western Kenya and the administrative centre of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Lying south of the Cherangani Hills, the local elevation varies from about 2100 metres above sea level at the airport to more than 2700 metres in nearby areas...
and to Kasese
Kasese
Kasese is a town in Western Uganda, lying north of Lake George. It originally grew around the copper mine at Kilembe, while attention later turned to cobalt mining. It is the 'chief town' of Kasese District and the district headquarters are located there...
via Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
. It is also known for its Hindu temple
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
s and the rock
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
looming over the town. The town is also an important road junction. The town has been known as one of the most thunderous places in the world with frequent thunderstorms occurring. Apart from this, Tororo is extremely rich in minerals, with one of the highest phosphorus deposits in the world, according to a recent UN report on mineral depositions.
Local economy
Tororo, like many up-country towns in UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, has a weak local economy. The average income in the district is very low and therefore cannot adequately support growth locally. Consequently, civil society organisations (such as NGOs, community organisations and the like) have had a significant influence on employment and capital flows into the district and its immediate surroundings, such as Mbale
Mbale
Mbale is a city in Eastern Uganda. It is the main municiplal, administrative and commercial center of Mbale District and the surrounding sub-region. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
and Soroti
Soroti
Soroti is the main municipal, commercial and administrative centre of Soroti District in Eastern Uganda, lying near Lake Kyoga. It is known for the rock formation near the town as well as a variety of Muslim mosques, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras as well as several churches that meet in various...
districts.
One such organization is MIFUMI. The organisation has been operating within the region for the last 7 years. Apart from its work with grass roots societies, MIFUMI has provided employment to hundreds of locals, either directly or indirectly.
Industry
Tororo is the location of a major cement worksCement in Africa
- Angola :* Lobitoo - proposal 2006* Nova Cimangola - state-owned cement company based in Luanda, associated with Scancem and Heidelberg Cement- Cameroon :* Douala - port - cement works* Yaoundé - national capital - cement works...
, Tororo Cement Limited
Tororo Cement Limited
Tororo Cement Limited is a leading manufacturer of construction materials in East Africa.-Overview:Tororo Cement Limited is the largest manufacturer of cement in Uganda, producing an estimated 1,000,000 metric tonnes annually. Not far behind, is Hima Cement Limited, which produces an estimated...
, which has the capacity to produce 19,000 metric tonnes of cement daily. It is also home to a food factory Seba Foods that was officially opened by the President of Uganda on 25 June 2010. Electromaxx Limited constructed a 20MW thermal plant, Tororo Power Station
Tororo Power Station
Tororo Power Station is a 20 MW heavy fuel oil-fired thermal power plant located in the town of Tororo in Tororo District, in eastern Uganda.-Location:...
, which was commissioned in June 2010. There are plans to increase production at this plant to 50MW. Tororo is also the location of Nilefos Minerals Limited, a subsidiary of the Madhvani Group
Madhvani Group
The Madhvani Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Madhvani Group, is one of the largest conglomerates in Uganda, with a total asset base in excess of US$275 million, as of April 2009. The group has investments in Uganda, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, the Middle East, India and North...
of Companies. Nilefos mines and processes phosphates for use in fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
and related industries.
Education
Tororo has some of the oldest secondary schools in East AfricaEast Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. These include St. Peter's College Tororo
St. Peter's College Tororo
St. Peter's College Tororo , also known as Tororo College, is an all-boys boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Eastern Uganda.-Location:...
, sometimes referred to as Tororo College, Tororo Girls School
Tororo Girls School
Tororo Girls School , is an all-girls boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Eastern Uganda.-Location:The school is located in the Eastern Ugandan town of Tororo, approximately , by road, east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country...
, Manjasi High School, Kisoko School, Nagongera Mission School, and other schools in the municipality. An up and coming primary school is Mifumi Primary School. Busitema University
Busitema University
Busitema University , is a university in Uganda. It is one of the five public universities in Uganda, which include Makerere University, Mbarara University, Kyambogo University and Gulu University...
, one of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
's public universities, maintains a campus at Nagongera
Nagongera
-Location:It is located approximately , by road, west of Tororo, the district headquarters. This location lies approximately , by road, east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country...
, in the northwestern part of the district.
Tororo has got the best Radio in Eastern Uganda Veros Radio broadcasting on 90.2 FM. DR. 1 More,DJ Dee and Perterson Dela creem have been up to the Task to be the best Djs in The region
Tourism
In the Victorian and Edwardian eras Tororo experienced a tea boom and the houses of the plantation owners and merchants have remained and some are being restored as inns. The district is also the location of Tororo RockTororo Rock
-Location:The rock is situated approximately southeast of the central business district of the town. The coordinates of the rock are:00 41 06N, 34 11 01E .-Overview:...
, a geological pillar which overlooks the town.
Inland Port
On 25 June 2010, Yoweri MuseveniYoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
, the President of Uganda
President of Uganda
-List of Presidents of Uganda:-Affiliations:-See also:*Uganda*Vice President of Uganda*Prime Minister of Uganda*Politics of Uganda*History of Uganda*Political parties of Uganda...
, commissioned the construction of Tororo Inland Port
Tororo Inland Port
-Location:The inland port is located on in the town of Malaba, Uganda, close to the border with Kenya. This location is approximately , by road, east of the town of Tororo, on the Tororo-Eldoret Highway. The approximate coordinates of the inland port are:00 39 00N, 34 15 00E...
, an inland dry port in Malaba
Malaba, Uganda
Malaba, Uganda is a town in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda, on Uganda's eastern border with Kenya.-Location:The town is located on the main highway between Kampala and Nairobi, approximately , by road, east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
, close to the border with Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. The location of the inland port is approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) east of Tororo on the Tororo-Eldoret
Eldoret
Eldoret is a town in western Kenya and the administrative centre of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Lying south of the Cherangani Hills, the local elevation varies from about 2100 metres above sea level at the airport to more than 2700 metres in nearby areas...
Highway. When completed in November 2012, as planned, the new, modern Inland port
Inland port
The term inland port is used in two different but related ways to mean either a port on an inland waterway or an inland site carrying out some functions of a seaport.- As a port on an inland waterway :...
will replace the more than 10 existing inland facilities that comprise UIP (Uganda Inland Ports) and that have traditionally stored containers prior to clearance of customs and inland revenue duties.
Population
In 2002 the national census put the population of the town of Tororo at about 34,800. In 2010, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), estimated the population of the town at 42,500. In 2011, UBOS estimated the population of Tororo at 43,700.Landmarks
The landmarks within the town limits or near the edges of town include:- The headquarters of Tororo District AdministrationTororo DistrictTororo District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Tororo.-Location:Tororo District is bordered by Mbale District to the north, Manafwa District to the northeast, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Busia District to the south,...
- The offices of Tororo Town Council
- Tororo Central Market
- Tororo RockTororo Rock-Location:The rock is situated approximately southeast of the central business district of the town. The coordinates of the rock are:00 41 06N, 34 11 01E .-Overview:...
- A natural rock formation that rises 1483 metres (4,865.5 ft) above sea level - Tororo Hospital - 200 bed public hospital administered by the Uganda Ministry of HealthUganda Ministry of HealthThe Uganda Health Ministry, commonly known as the Uganda Ministry of Health, is a government department in Uganda. The ministry is headed by three cabinet members; one Minister of Health and two State Ministers of Health.-Location:...
- The Uganda Martyrs’ Cathedral, the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo
- St. Antony's Hospital - 150 community hospital affiliated with the Church of UgandaChurch of UgandaThe Church of the Province of Uganda is a member church of the Anglican Communion. Currently there are 34 dioceses which make up the Church of Uganda, each headed by a bishop....
- Tororo AirportTororo AirportTororo Airport is an airport in Uganda. It is one of the forty-six airports in the country.-Location:Tororo Airport is located in the town of Tororo, Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. It is approximately , by air, east of Entebbe International Airport, the country’s largest civilian and military...
- A public airport administered by the Uganda Civil Aviation AuthorityCivil Aviation Authority of UgandaThe Civil Aviation Authority was created by an Act of Parliament in 1994 as a state agency of the Ministry of Transport, Housing and Communication... - Nilefos Limited - A manufacturer of fertilizer and other industrial chemicals; a member of the Madhvani GroupMadhvani GroupThe Madhvani Group of Companies commonly referred to as the Madhvani Group, is one of the largest conglomerates in Uganda, with a total asset base in excess of US$275 million, as of April 2009. The group has investments in Uganda, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, the Middle East, India and North...
- Tororo Cement LimitedTororo Cement LimitedTororo Cement Limited is a leading manufacturer of construction materials in East Africa.-Overview:Tororo Cement Limited is the largest manufacturer of cement in Uganda, producing an estimated 1,000,000 metric tonnes annually. Not far behind, is Hima Cement Limited, which produces an estimated...
- One of two cement manufacturers in Uganda - Tororo Power StationTororo Power StationTororo Power Station is a 20 MW heavy fuel oil-fired thermal power plant located in the town of Tororo in Tororo District, in eastern Uganda.-Location:...
- A 20MW thermal power plant belonging to Electromaxx Limited, a private power company - Busitema UniversityBusitema UniversityBusitema University , is a university in Uganda. It is one of the five public universities in Uganda, which include Makerere University, Mbarara University, Kyambogo University and Gulu University...
- One of the five (5) public universities in Uganda; located 28 kilometres (17.4 mi), by road, southwest of the central business districtCentral business districtA central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Tororo town. - A branch of Barclays Bank
- A branch of Centenary BankCentenary BankCentenary Bank is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the twenty-three licensed commercial banks in the country.-Overview:The bank is a mid-sized financial services provider in Uganda. It is primarily involved in the promotion of development through loans to rural farmers, processors of...
- A branch of Equity BankEquity Bank (Uganda)-Overview:The bank provides banking services to individuals and to small and medium business enterprises. As of December 2009, the bank was the 14th largest commercial bank in Uganda with an estimated asset valuation of approximately US$81.4 million or approximately 2% of all bank assets in the...
- A branch of Stanbic BankStanbic Bank (Uganda) LimitedStanbic Bank Limited is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the commercial banks licensed by Bank of Uganda, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
- A branch of Uganda Finance Trust LimitedUganda Finance Trust LimitedUganda Finance Trust Limited , commonly called Finance Trust, is a Microfinance Deposit-taking Institution in Uganda.-Location:...
- A Tier III Financial InstitutionBanking in Uganda-The early years:Prior to Uganda’s independence in 1962, Government-owned institutions dominated most banking in Uganda. In 1966 the Bank of Uganda, which controlled the issue of currency and managed foreign exchange reserves, became the Central Bank. Uganda Commercial Bank, which had fifty... - A mobile branch of PostBank UgandaPostBank UgandaPostBank Uganda is a non-bank credit institution in Uganda. As of May 2010, PostBank Uganda was a small credit institution whose asset base was estimated at about US$39 million.-History:...
- A branch of the National Social Security FundNational Social Security Fund (Uganda)The National Social Security Fund is a semi-government agency responsible for the collection, safekeeping, responsible investment and distribution of retirement funds from employees of the private sector in Uganda, who are not covered by the Government Retirement Scheme...
- Tororo Inland PortTororo Inland Port-Location:The inland port is located on in the town of Malaba, Uganda, close to the border with Kenya. This location is approximately , by road, east of the town of Tororo, on the Tororo-Eldoret Highway. The approximate coordinates of the inland port are:00 39 00N, 34 15 00E...
- Under Construction - Tororo Girls SchoolTororo Girls SchoolTororo Girls School , is an all-girls boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Eastern Uganda.-Location:The school is located in the Eastern Ugandan town of Tororo, approximately , by road, east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country...
- An all-girls, boarding middle and high school (S1 - S6) - St. Peter's College TororoSt. Peter's College TororoSt. Peter's College Tororo , also known as Tororo College, is an all-boys boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Eastern Uganda.-Location:...
- An all-boys, boarding middle and high school (S1 - S6)
Photos
- Photo of Tororo Rock 1
- Photo of Tororo Rock 2
- Photo of Tororo Cement Works
- Photo of Rock Garden Hotel, Tororo
- Photo of Downtown Tororo
See also
- Railway stations in UgandaRailway stations in Uganda- Maps :* * * * - Existing : Bungoma - last town in Kenya Malaba** Tororo - near Kenya border; junction for north line* Main Line* Iganga* Jinja - bridge over Victoria Nile* Iganga - washed away culvert * Busembatia...
- Transport in UgandaTransport in Uganda- Railways :Total:1,241 kmmetre gauge:1,241 km gaugenote:A program to rehabilitate the railway started in , however much of the railway is inoperative....
- Tororo DistrictTororo DistrictTororo District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Tororo.-Location:Tororo District is bordered by Mbale District to the north, Manafwa District to the northeast, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Busia District to the south,...
- Eastern Region, UgandaEastern Region, UgandaEastern Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...