Lira is a city in the Northern Region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial centre of Lira District.

History

Lira was one of the last towns in Uganda held by loyalists of Idi Amin during the Uganda–Tanzania War (1978–1979). 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 100 km, by road, southeast of Gulu, the largest city in the Northern Region of Uganda, along the highway between Gulu and Mbale. This is approximately 124 km northwest of Soroti, the nearest city to the south. Lira City is located approximately 337 km, 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 (Latitude:02.2472; Longitude:32.9000). The city lies at an average elevation of 1063 m, 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. The 2014 census put the population at 99,059. The Night Population of Lira City Population is projected (Midyear 2020) from the 2014 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) is 249,900. The day population is projected at 500,000.

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 80 km 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