Soroti Catholic Diocese is located in Eastern Uganda, E. Africa. The Diocese covers an area that encompasses the ten (10) civil districts of Amuria, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Kalaki, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere and Soroti. The tribes inhabiting the Diocese are mainly the Iteso, the Kumam and the Bakenye.
The origin of Soroti Catholic Diocese, which till 1981 was part of Tororo Diocese (now known as Tororo Arch-Diocese), can best be traced from the history of the Catholic Church in Uganda in general and Tororo Diocese in particular. The advent of the first Catholic Missionaries to Uganda in 1879 is seen as the beginning of the local Church in Uganda with the establishment of the Vicariate of the Upper Nile in 1894 and the creation of Tororo Diocese in 1953. Tororo Diocese has evolved in 4 major phases, with Soroti Catholic Diocese being created in the fourth phase.
The retired 1st Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Erasmus D. Wandera, was born at Osia in Tororo (Archdiocese of Tororo) on 16th April 1930. He was ordained priest on 27th December 1956. He was appointed first Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese on 29th November 1980, and consecrated Bishop on 29th March 1981. He retired and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Obbo, A.J. on 6th October 2007. Bishop Emeritus Wandera is now resident at Mbale Town.
Contact Address:
Rt. Rev. Emeritus Erasmus Wandera
c/o P.O. Box 933,
Mbale–Uganda
The Most. Rev. Emmanuel Obbo, A.J., was born in Nagongera Parish in Tororo (Archdiocese of Tororo) on 7th October 1952. He was ordained priest of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus (A.J.) on 13th December 1986 in Nagongera Parish. He was appointed Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese on 27th June 2007. He was ordained Bishop and installed as the second Bishop Ordinary of Soroti Catholic Diocese on 6th October 2007. In 2013, Bishop Emmanuel Obbo was appointed Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese as well as Apostolic Administrator for Soroti Catholic Diocese. He remained the Apostolic Administrator for Soroti Catholic Diocese until 25th May 2019, when Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach was consecrated and installed as 3rd Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese.
Born: 11th Aug. 1970, at Olelai-Gweri, to Papa Oliach John Francis (RIP) and Toto Aguti Anna Maria (RIP)
Position in the family: 8/8.
Primary School: St. Aloysius Dem PS Ngora.
O'level: St. Peter's Seminary Madera, Soroti.
A'level: St. Pius X Seminary Nagongera, Tororo.
Philosophicum: St. Thomas Aquinas National Seminary Katigondo, Masaka.
Theologicum: St. Paul's National Major Seminary Kinyamasika, Fort-Portal.
Diaconate Ordination: 10th August 2002, at St. Ann's Catholic Parish, Usuk.
Priestly Ordination: 9th August 2003, at St. Patrick's Catholic Parish, Madera.