Lira is a city in the
Northern Region of
Uganda
}), is a landlocked country in East Africa
East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial centre of
Lira District
Lira District is a district in Northern Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Lira.
Location
Lira District is bordered by Pader District to the north, Otuke District to the northeast, Alebtong District to ...
.
History
Lira was one of the last towns in Uganda held by loyalists of
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada Oumee (, ; 16 August 2003) was a Ugandan military officer and politician who served as the third president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. He ruled as a military dictator and is considered one of the most brutal despots in modern w ...
during the
Uganda–Tanzania War
The Uganda–Tanzania War, known in Tanzania as the Kagera War (Kiswahili: ''Vita vya Kagera'') and in Uganda as the 1979 Liberation War, was fought between Uganda and Tanzania from October 1978 until June 1979 and led to the overthrow of Uganda ...
(1978–1979). A force consisting of the
Tanzania People's Defence Force
The Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) ( sw, Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania) is the military force of the United Republic of Tanzania. It was established in September 1964, following a mutiny by the former colonial military force ...
's 201st Brigade and the
Uganda National Liberation Front
The Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF) was a political group formed by exiled Ugandans opposed to the rule of Idi Amin with an accompanying military wing, the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA). UNLA fought alongside Tanzanian forces in ...
's
Kikosi Maalum
Kikosi Maalum (meaning "Special Force" in Swahili), also known as the Special Battalion or the grand coalition, was a militia of Ugandan exiles formed in Tanzania to fight against the regime of Idi Amin. The unit was founded by and loyal to forme ...
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
Gulu is a city in the Northern Region of Uganda. It is the commercial and administrative centre of Gulu District.
The coordinates of the city of Gulu are 2°46'54.0"N 32°17'57.0"E. The distance from Gulu to Kampala, Uganda's capital and large ...
and
Mbale
Mbale is a city in the Eastern Region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial center of Mbale District and the surrounding sub-region.
Location
Mbale is approximately , by road, northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capita ...
. This is approximately northwest of
Soroti
Soroti is a city in Eastern Region of Uganda. It is the main City, commercial, and administrative center in curved out of Soroti District, one of the nine administrative districts in the Teso sub-region. Soroti City was immediately approved f ...
, the nearest city to the south.
Lira City is located approximately , by road, north of the city of
Kampala
Kampala (, ) is the capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,680,000 and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division, and Ruba ...
, the capital and largest city in the country. The coordinates of Lira City are 2°14'50.0"N 32°54'00.0"E (Latitude:02.2472; Longitude:32.9000). 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 (UBOS) estimated the population at 105,100. In 2011, UBOS estimated the mid-year population at 108,600. In August 2014, the national population census put the population at 99,059.
Transport
Lira is served by a
railway station
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...
of the
Uganda Railways
The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is the parastatal railway of Uganda. It was formed after the breakup of the East African Railways Corporation (EARC) in 1977 when it took over the Ugandan part of the East African railways.
URC's system ...
network. The city is also served by a public civilian airport,
Lira Airport
Lira Airport is an airport serving Lira, a town in the Lira District of Uganda. Lira Airport is one of twelve upcountry airports that are administered by the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda. It is also one of the 46 airports in the country.
L ...
, administered by the
Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is the government agency responsible for licensing, monitoring, and regulating civil aviation matters. It is administered by the Uganda Ministry of Works and Transport.
Location
The authority's head of ...
.
Power line
An 132 kilovolt electricity line from the
Karuma Power Station
The Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station is a 600 MW hydroelectric power project under construction in Uganda. When completed, it will be the largest power-generating installation in the country.
Location
The power station is located on the ...
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:
* Offices of Lira City Council
* Lira Main Market
* Ngetta Rock
* Mount Meru Millers
* Mukwano Industries Lira factory
*
Lira University
Lira University (LU) is a university in Uganda. It is one of the eleven public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country.
Location
The university campus is located on approximately of land, about , by road, northwest of down ...
, a public university in Uganda
* Lira Campus of
Uganda Martyrs University
Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is a private University affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda. The University is owned by the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Uganda. It is licensed by the Uganda National Council for ...
, a private university, whose main campus is located in
Nkozi
Nkozi is a town in central Uganda. It is one of the urban centers in Mpigi District.
Location
The town is situated along the Kampala–Masaka Road, approximately , southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. This location is approxim ...
,
Mpigi District
Mpigi District is a district in Central Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'main town', Mpigi.
Location
Mpigi District is bordered by Wakiso District to the north and east, Kalangala District to the south, Kalungu ...
*
All Saints University
All Saints University, whose complete name is All Saints University Lango (ASUL), is a private university in Uganda. It is recognised as a university by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE).
Location
ASUL is located on Adoko ...
, a private university affiliated with the
Church of Uganda
The Church of Uganda is a member province of the Anglican Communion. Currently there are 37 dioceses which make up the Church of Uganda, each headed by a bishop.
Each diocese is divided into archdeaconries, each headed by a senior priest known a ...
* A branch of the
National Social Security Fund
*
Ministry of Water and Environment Upper Nile region branch
* Lira Integrated School, a mixed, residential, nursery, primary and secondary school
* Secondary schools include the following public schools: Lango College, Comboni College, Dr. Obote College, St. Katherine Girls School.
* Lira Town College, a secondary school
*Accommodation facilities include Good news hotel, Lira Hotel, Pacific Grand Hotel, Pauline Hotel and several others.
*A golf course next to Lira Central Primary School
*Lira regional referral hospital, a government facility
Notable people
*
David Oyite Ojok
David Oyite Ojok (15 April 1940 – 2 December 1983) was a Ugandan military commander who held one of the leadership positions in the coalition between Uganda National Liberation Army and Tanzania People's Defence Force which removed strongman ...
, former major general, liberator and UNLA Chief of Staff
*
Dusman Sabuni
Dusman Abassi Sabuni (died 2000) was a Ugandan military officer. Born in Lira, Uganda, he became an officer in the Uganda Army following the completion of his secondary schooling. After Colonel Idi Amin's 1971 military coup, Sabuni quickly rose ...
, military officer and rebel leader
*
Milton Obote
Apollo Milton Obote (28 December 1925 – 10 October 2005) was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda to independence from British colonial rule in 1962. Following the nation's independence, he served as prime minister of Uganda from 1962 to ...
, 2nd President of Uganda
See also
*
Lango people
The Lango are a Nilo-Hamitic ethnic group of the Ateker peoples. They live in north-central Uganda, in a region that covers the area formerly known as the Lango District until 1974, when it was split into the districts of Apac and Lira, and ...
*
Lira University
Lira University (LU) is a university in Uganda. It is one of the eleven public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country.
Location
The university campus is located on approximately of land, about , by road, northwest of down ...
References
Works cited
*
External links
Quick facts on Lira Town and Uganda
{{coord, 02, 14, 50, N, 32, 54, 00, E, type:city, display=title
*
Populated places in Northern Region, Uganda
Cities in the Great Rift Valley
Lango sub-region