Geographical Location

Lira Central Division is located in Lira Municipal Council in Lira District. It is one of the 4 Divisions in the Municipality.

Vision

To transform and reduce poverty to 20% by provision of basic and modern facilities to the community within the Division by the year 2015.

Mission Statement
To facilitate, transform and provide quality service to the people of Central Division.

Overall goal

To eradicate poverty and improve the welfare of the people of Lira Central Division through quality service delivery and equitable sustainable development.

Objectives
• To equitably provide social infrastructure to all parishes.
• To facilitate the provision of services.
• To foster capacity building of all stake holders.
• To empower and involve lower local Councils in Development planning.
• To strengthen intensive urban farming to foster food security.
• Improving waste management.
• Promoting law and order
• Enhancing environmental management.
• Increasing and improving transport infrastructure.
• Build capacity of staff and timely payment of wages & salaries.
• Improve on Council performance.
• To enhance compliance in Finance & Accounting regulations.
• Increasing and empowering of the community to initiate and innovate development.
• To promote trade and marketing.
• To promote primary education & infrastructural development in schools.
• To enhance physical planning.
• To promote public health & infrastructure Development.

Climatic conditions

Lira Central Division exhibits an un-modal rainfall pattern with a single rainfall maximum. The rainy season stretches from March to November with a short dry spell in June. The dry season stretches from December to March. Ngetta Meteorological Station figures indicate that the amount of rainfall ranges from 1000mm to 1600mm per annum.

The mean temperature does not show great variations. The average temperature of Lira Central Division ranges from 220 and 260C but the diurnal temperature range is high in the dry season and may reach 400C.

Relief and drainage

The relief of Lira Central Division is generally flat, gently undulating to be more descriptive. The altitude is between 1075 and 1100 meters above sea level. The area is generally well drained except for the peripheral area, which is occupied by poorly drained swamps.

Size

The Division covers a land area of 203,625 hectares.

Soils and Vegetation

The soils of Lira Central Division are categorized as ferruginous sandy loam. The soil has a high percentage of sandy soil and therefore it is vulnerable to erosion. Since the soil is sandy in nature, it has a low water retention capacity and a high rate of water infiltration and this implies the moisture content of the soil is generally low. The color of the soil is grayish brown in many places but gray clay with poor drainage. The poor drainage of the soils in the swampy area coupled with the high water retention capacity makes swampy areas water logged.

The original vegetation of Lira Central Division was intermediate savanna grassland with scattered trees, (Lang lands 1974). Today the original vegetation of Lira Central Division has been destroyed in many places and replaced with exotic species of trees, shrubs and grasses like elephant grass for grazing livestock.

However, remnants of the original natural vegetation are still evident by the presence of some trees and grass species.

Political and administrative structure

Lira Central Division Council is a lower urban local Government under Lira Municipality equivalent to a sub-county. It is headed by a Chairperson on the political wing and Assistant Town Clerk on the technical wing. It comprises of five parishes namely: – Ireda East, Ireda West, Te-Obia, Senior Quarters and Bazaar

Demographic characteristics

As per the 2002 National Population and Housing Census, the population of Lira Central Division was about 17,593, 82, males and 9295 females from 3089 households

Historical, cultural and ethnic background
The area, which is covered by Lira Central Division today, was first settled by the people belonging to the Lango tribe called “Lira” which the urbanity derived its name. In 1914 the administrative headquarters of the then Lango District (now Apac and Lira districts) was transferred from Nambieso to Lira. Prior to 1914, the place now called Lira was known as “Bar” a Luo word meaning an area where there was no human settlement.

The main tribe in Lira Central Division is the Lango tribe. Over 80% of the residents are Langi, followed by the Kumam, the Iteso and followed by the Acholi (The National Population and Housing Census, 2002).

The majority of residents of Lira Central Division residents are Christians over 80% while the rest are either Muslim or pagans (According to the 2002, Population and Housing Census)

EXISTING DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS IN LIRA CENTRAL DIVISION

There are a number of development partners of Lira Central Division Council, which comprised of both public (international, national and local) programmes and private organizations (civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations’ programmes and formal private sector assisting Lira Central Division Council in providing services to the people. These include among others: –
UNICEF Country Programme, Water Environment Sanitation (WES)
The main area of support of this Programme in the Division is water and sanitation.

UNEPI-UNICEF has contributed greatly to immunization campaigns of the six killer diseases. UNICEF advocates for girl-child education as well as development planning to cater for children’s needs.

Lango Diocese Church of Uganda.
Lango Diocese has an urban archdeaconry, which was based in St. Augustine Social Centre in Lira Municipality. The urban archdeaconry has spear headed several development efforts especially spiritual welfare, good governance, peace building and conflict resolutions training institutions (Lira Catering Institute) among several other projects. The archdeaconry has since embarked on construction of a large Cathedral in Northern Uganda and a number of training workshops for the youth, single mothers, widows, married women, married men among others. Lango Diocese was mainly an Anglican foundation.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG)
PAG Christian Ministries were relatively new in Lira Central Division having started in the late 1980s. PAG had embarked on several development projects such as Lira Pentecostal Church and Social Centre, PAG Hospital, PAG Church in Obanga pewany sensitize people. PAG is also instrumental in promoting spiritual welfare, good governance, and peace building and conflict resolutions among other development efforts.

All Nations Christian Care
All Nations Christian Care is a Christian ministry, which was established in Lira Central Division since the late 1980s. ANCC is recognized for spearheading spiritual welfare, good governance, peace building and conflict resolutions as well as a number of development programmes notably Human Technical Institute among others.

PCU- Spiritual undertakings
LICODA- (Counseling on HIV/AIDS)
ACDI – (Handle relief items to persons living with HIV / AIDS ).
DETREC- Handling training & capacity building
EDAPRI- Counseling and testing, OVC support and post test care services
DIVINE WATERS- Water and sanitation activities.
FREDISH REHABILITATION- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
NUMAT – .HIV/AIDS, T.B and Malaria

Faith Christian Ministry
Faith Christian Ministry also a Christian ministry, which was established in Lira Central Division since the 1990s. It is also recognized for spearheading spiritual welfare, good governance, peace building and conflict resolutions as well as a number of development programmes notably Faith Academy.

Lira Moslem Association
Lira Moslem Association was also instrumental in spearheading spiritual welfare, good governance, peace building and conflict resolutions among other notable developments such as Lira Quoran Primary School

Canadian Physicians Agency for Relief (CPAR)
CPAR stated operations in Lira in around 2000 and has constructed a modern office in Lira with communication training component. The programme runs local projects on water and sanitation, and environment among others.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)
IRC shifted their offices to Lira around 2002 after a major rebel insurgency, which destroyed their offices and refugee camp in Acol pi in Pader District, and they funded a number of projects (water and sanitation) targeting the internally displaced people and refugees.

Save the Children-Norway
Save the Children is best remembered for funding a number of projects to the internally displaced camps of Railways, Starch Factory and Cultural Centre in Lira Central Division between 2002 and 2003 after major rebel incursions in northern Uganda.

Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO)
Uganda Women’s Efforts to Save Orphans (UWESO) also had an office in Lira Central Division and was funding a number of projects including micro finance among others.

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK – Reconstruction and development of the main market.

ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS (SWOT)

The frame work for SWOT analysis presents strong points/pillars the Division can take advantage of to enhance development and limitations that hinder development.

General analysis for Lira Central Division.

Strengths

 Competent qualified staff in place.
 Good governance and policies.
 Good local revenue base.
 Adequate office accommodation and equipments.
 Financial support from the Central government (LGMDP, CDD , NUSAF, PHC)
 FM radio stations for community mobilization and sensitization.
 Presence of one double cabin pick –up and motor cycles enhance transport.
 Support from NGOs.
 Good road network.
 Located in the Central business area.
 Introduction of new taxes such as hotel and local service tax increased the revenue base.
 New markets in place.
 Computerized information system.

Weaknesses.

 Abolition of some revenue sources e.g. G/Tax.
 Political wrangles among politicians.
 Dependency on Central government grants and donor support.
 HIV/AIDS and T.B prevalence.
 Inadequate revenue base to capture all development programmes.
 Poor intersectoral collaboration.
 Un coordinated transfer of staff.
 Poor attitude of the business community towards payment of revenue
Opportunities.

 Availability of educational institutions.
 Presence of large public markets.
 Radio stations and TV stations.
 Improved security situation.
 Presence of NGOs and CBOs.
 Availability of Land for development.
 Presence of consultancy services.
 Presence of telecommunication systems.

Threats

 Political interferences.
 Insufficient revenue base.
 High rate of school drop out.
 Food shortages.
 Political differences.
 Risk of insecurity.
 Risk of epidemics out break.