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The digital archive of Obongi
Preserving Obongi's history, one recording at a time
Oral histories, historical photographs, maps, documents and the leaders and events that shaped the district — searchable, and growing every week.
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Archive categories
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Colonial History
28 items
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Traditional Leadership
34 items
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Culture
41 items
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Education
19 items
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Religion
15 items
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Development
26 items
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Refugee Response
22 items
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Local Government
17 items
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Historical Publications
12 items
Through the years
Timeline of Obongi
Pre-colonial era
Madi clan leadership established along the Albert Nile
Clan elders governed community life, land and conflict resolution long before formal administration arrived.
Early 1900s
Colonial administration reaches West Nile
Obongi is brought under colonial district structures, reshaping local governance.
1980s-90s
Cross-border movement and early refugee settlement
Regional conflicts bring the first waves of refugees across the border.
2017
Palorinya settlement expands rapidly
A new influx of refugees establishes Palorinya as one of Uganda’s largest settlements.
2020
Obongi becomes an official district
Carved out of Moyo District, Obongi gains full district status.
This year
Obongi Connections Radio launches its digital archive
Community elders, teachers and returnees begin recording oral histories for permanent preservation.
Recently added
From the archive
Oral History
Elders record the origins of the Madi clan system
Audio . 42 min . Recorded in Itula
Photography
Obongi's first ferry crossing, 1962
Photo archive . Donated by the Odu family
Publication
District gazette: the formation of Obongi, 2020
Document . 8 pages
Oral History
Life before the settlement: host community memories
Audio . 35 min . Recorded in Itula
Map
Colonial-era administrative map of West Nile
Scanned document . 1948
Leader Profile
Chief Yasin Aliga and the founding of Itula
Article . 6 min read