Lira, Uganda


Lira is a city in the Northern Region of Uganda. It serves as the main urban center of the Lango sub-region. On 1 July 2020, Lira was officially elevated to city status as part of Uganda's government plan to create new cities across the country. Following this elevation, Lira City became a separate administrative entity distinct from Lira District.

History

Lira is the oldest district in Lango sub-region that was formed in 1974 with Lango ethnic group as the main occupants. Lira was one of the last towns in Uganda held by loyalists of Idi Amin during the Uganda–Tanzania War. A force consisting of the Tanzania People's Defence Force's 201st Brigade and the Uganda National Liberation Front's Kikosi Maalum attacked Lira on 15 May 1979, ousting the Amin loyalists after a short battle. The clash at Lira was the last important battle of the Uganda–Tanzania War, as the remnants of Amin's army completely disintegrated thereafter.

Location

Lira is approximately, by road, southeast of Gulu, the largest city in the Northern Region of Uganda, along the highway between Gulu and Mbale. This is approximately northwest of Soroti, the nearest city to the south.
Lira City is located approximately, by road, north of the city of Kampala, the capital and largest city in the country. The coordinates of Lira City are 2°14'50.0"N 32°54'00.0"E. The city lies at an average elevation of, above sea level.

Population

The 2002 national census estimated the population of Lira at 80,900. In 2010, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimated the population at 105,100. In 2011, UBOS estimated the mid-year population at 108,600. The 2014 census put the population at 99,059. The Night Population of Lira City Population is projected from the 2014 National Population and Housing Census is 249,900. The day population is projected at 500,000. In 2024, the national census put the population of Lira at 245,132.
During the 2024's National population census, Lira city has a approximately 241,020 household population.and 61,847 total households

Economy

Lira City serves as the primary business hub in Northern Uganda and has been baptized as the "Commercial and Industrial City" of the region. The economy is characterized by a diverse mix of industrial, commercial, and agricultural activities.

Industrial sector

The city hosts several significant industries, including:
  • Mukwano Industries - a major manufacturer of consumer goods including cooking oil, soaps, and other household products
  • Meru Millers - a large-scale grain processing facility that mills maize and other cereals
  • Various other manufacturing and processing plants that contribute to the local economy

Commercial sector

The city's economy is predominantly based on commerce, serving as a central market and distribution point for agricultural products from the surrounding rural areas. Major economic activities include:
  • Trade in agricultural products
  • Retail and wholesale commerce
  • Service industry
  • Transportation and logistics
The city hosts several markets, including the Main Market, which is one of the largest in Northern Uganda, attracting traders and customers from across the region.

Agriculture

Agriculture remains an important economic driver, with the city functioning as a collection and distribution center for agricultural products from the fertile surrounding regions of the Lango sub-region.
Agriculture in Lira District is largely smallholder and rain-fed. Major food crops include cassava, maize, sorghum, millet, beans, and groundnuts, while sunflower, sesame, and soybeans are important cash crops. Other crops grown in the district include rice, sweet potatoes, pigeon peas, and fruits such as mangoes and oranges.

Transport

Lira is served by a railway station of the Uganda Railways network. The city is also served by a public civilian airport, Lira Airport, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda.

Power line

An 132-kilovolt electricity line from the Karuma Power Station is under construction to a substation in Lira, under the supervision of Intec Gopa International Energy Consultants GmbH of Germany.

Points of interest

The following additional points of interest lie within the town limits or close to the edges of the city:

Notable people

Works cited

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Northern Region, Uganda">Northern Region, Uganda">Northern Region, Uganda
Category:Cities in the Great Rift Valley
Category:Lango sub-region