Population: 368,100
Divisions: Lira central Division, Adyel, Ojwina,Railways.
Neighbouring Districts: Pader ,Otuk Alebton,Dokolo,Apac ,Kole.
Distance from Kampala: 352km
Distance to Airport: Entebbe International Airport 250km
Attractions: Karma Falls along the way.
Commerce:Industry, Manufacturing, Import & Exports
Local Economy: Variety of Shops, Restaurants & Bars, Hotels, Offices, Grain Milling, Pottery, Building Tile Manufacture, Crop processing and Marketing.
Situated in the north, 352km from Kampala, the town of Lira is a municipal, administrative and a commercial center with friendly, heartwarming and hospitable people. It is approximately 110km by road southeast of the city of Gulu on the highway between Gulu and Mbale. The official language is English and it’s widely spoken although most of the people speak their second language- Lango.
Transport
Lira is served by a railway station of Uganda railways network however currently it’s not working, the town is also served by public civilian airport, Lira airport administered by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. Buses are safe and cheaper way to travel especially during day. Bus travel is roughly Ush25, 000-30,000.
Where to stay
With a number of growing hotels by the day, one can never fail to get a place to stay. There are a variety of luxurious, comfortable and pocket friendly hotels, lodging and guest houses in Lira these include hotels like Gracious Palace Hotel, Lira Hotel, Margarita Palace Hotel, Kanberra Hotel, Sankofa Café , Lillian Towers Hotel among others.
For online accommodation booking in Lira, use the inquiry form below:
Gracious Palace Hotel, 5A Akalo Road, +256 (0)392 941392, Lira Hotel, 8-10 Erute Road, +256 (0)473 20024, Lillian Towers Hotel, Inomo Road, +256(0)473 20954/5.
Keeping in touch
The easiest and cheapest way to keep in touch is by email. Internet is the only viable option in Lira, where there are several excellent outlets that provide quick access. There is also a post office along the main street where one can easily sent and receive letters. Newspapers like Newvision, Monitor, Redpepper and Rupiny which is in the local language are also available.
Food and drinks
Lira people love food that’s way it’s a custom in every household to prepare meal for every visitor who stops by. The hotels serve both local and western-style foods though its mostly buffets,foods served include rice,meat,fish(fresh and smoked),chicken,posho, vegetables,beans,sweet potatoes,cassava,irish potatoes and local foods such as kalo,malakwang and pasted vegetables like boyo,alayo. All these and many more can be enjoyed cheaply anywhere around Lira.
Shopping
With so few tourists there is not a very highly developed craft markets however shopping can be done in the supermarkets, markets, along the streets, malls and bookshops around.
Entertainment and Night Life
In Lira discos are very much the order of the day especially on Fridays and Saturdays, many night clubs have sprout up and you cannot afford to be bored with places like 24/7, K-zone, club suiz, Lira hotel among others.