Lira, Uganda

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.[4]

Lira is approximately 101 kilometres (63 mi), by road, southeast of Gulu, the largest city in the Northern Region of Uganda, along the highway between Gulu and Mbale.[5] This is approximately 342 kilometres (213 mi), by road, north of the city of Kampala, the capital and largest city in that country.[6] Lira is approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi) northwest of Soroti, the nearest large town to the south.[7] The coordinates of Lira are 2°14'50.0"N 32°54'00.0"E (Latitude:02.2472; Longitude:32.9000).[8] The city lies at an average elevation of 1,063 metres (3,488 ft), above sea level.[9]

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.[10] In August 2014, the national population census put the population at 99,059.[2]

A man selling jackfruit along the road in Lira, Uganda

Lira is served by a railway station of the Uganda Railways network.[11] The city is also served by a public civilian airport, Lira Airport, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda.

An 80 kilometres (50 mi) 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.[12]

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

• Offices of Lira Municipal Council
• Lira Main Market
• Ngetta Rock
• Lira University, a public university in Uganda
• Lira Campus of Uganda Martyrs University, a private university, whose main campus is located in Nkozi, Mpigi District
• All Saints University, a private university affiliated with the Church of Uganda
• 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.[13]
• Secondary Schools include he following public schools: Lango College, Comboni College, Dr. Obote College, St. Katherine Girls School.
• Lira Town College, a secondary school.[14]

• Sam Engola, politician and businessman
• Dusman Sabuni, military officer and rebel leader

• Lango people
• Lira University

• Quick Facts On Lira Town And Uganda