Lira City is located in Northern Uganda, It serves as the main urban center of the Lango sub-region. On July 1, 2020, it was officially elevated to city status as part of Uganda’s government plan to create new cities across the country.
Population: Lira City currently has a population of 246,437 with 112,439 males (45.9%) and 132,693 females (54.1%), according to the 2024 national census.
Business: Lira City is the industrial hub of Northern Uganda, with many factories dotted almost everywhere. Lira is so busy with booming business & its very easy to start up a business & make profits.
Key business sectors include agro-processing, trade in agricultural products like grains & legumes, retail, wholesale, transportation & logistics. Major companies operate there, such as Mukwano Industries (producing cooking oil and soaps) and Meru Millers (grain processing). The Lira Central Market is the central point for trade.
One industrial park exists, with a second under construction, supporting activities like manufacturing and services.
Local gov’t revenue collections for Lira City rose from USh 2.1 billion to USh 3.9 billion in recent years, reflecting growing economic activity.
Lira City has the highest GDP compared to Gulu & other Cities in Northern Uganda.
Night Life and Entertainment: Popular Night spots include Ferroz Lounge (along Oyite Ojok lane), Vintage, Amazon & Frontpage Lounge (along Old Kampala road),Glass Lounge, Achievers’ Lounge (along Oyam Road). Teso Bar, a neighborhood spot, provides cheap beer & food in a casual environment.
Infrastructure: Lira City’s infrastructure includes key road connections, such as the Lira-Kampala road (337 km north of Kampala), Lira-Aloi, Lira-Apac, Lira-Boroboro, and links to Gulu (100 km southeast).
Transport features a railway station on the Uganda Railways network and Lira Airport, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Utilities include an 80 km, 132-kV electricity line from Karuma Power Station under construction.
Sports infrastructure: The Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium, is a multi-purpose 20,000-seat stadium facility currently under construction in Lira City.
The Lira Golf Course is Northern Uganda’s Premiere Golf facility offering an 18-hole course with a par of 70.
Tourist attractions: Some of the tourist attractions in Lira City include Ngetta Rock, a massive rock formation with panoramic views and Lango cultural significance, ideal for hiking and photography.
Lira Cathedral, a striking Catholic landmark showcasing architectural beauty and community spirit.
Apollo Milton Obote’s Residence, a historical site tied to Uganda’s second president, and the Barlonyo Memorial Site, a poignant tribute to resilience with educational tours.
Rent: Rent in Lira City is generally 10-20% cheaper than in Gulu City. A single room for business in Lira City goes for as low as 200k.
Health Sector: Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) serves as the primary referral health facility for the Lango sub-region and beyond in northern Uganda, offering 25 specialized services, including advanced medical care, diagnostics, and treatment.
Education: Major Schools in Lira City include Lira University, a public institution specializing in medicine, education, business & health sciences. hosts Uganda’s first university teaching hospital for practical training.
Lira School of Comprehensive Nursing, King James School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uganda Technical College Lira, Dr. Obote College Boroboro, St. Katherine Girls Secondary School, Comboni College, Lango College, among others.
Source: Internet
