Potentials. –
Lira District has comparatively adequate infrastructure in place i.e. fairly good road network, office accommodation and stores at the District and sub county levels, electricity, clean piped water, a fully developed urban/metropolitan centre, banks, post office system, radio stations and mobile telephone connectivity.
– The district is endowed with work force with almost all critical positions filled with professionals who are very crucial in the implementation of government programmes especially the decentralisation programme. This enables the administration co-ordinate and control activities planned for the provision of goods and services.
– With a well established political organ in the form of District Council, the administration enjoys the political will and support which enables it to perform its functions appropriately.
– The Management services department is also strengthened by the existence of statutory organs (boards and commissions) which perform specific functions that in turn enables the administration implement government and district council policies effectively and efficiently.
– The management function is also strengthened by the support from Central Government in terms of specific releases/grants, programmes, projects and other interventions which facilitate the administration to co-ordinate the provision of social services to the local population

Constraints

– Inadequate or lack of capacity at the Sub-county level to handle the demands of decentralised services and funds both from the Central Government and District Local Government. In a bid to address this capacity gap, Management services therefore has a tremendous burden to constantly and deliberately monitor and mentor the LLGs.
– Extreme difficulties faced by the LLGs in the mobilisation of local revenue especially graduated Tax whereby well over 50% of local revenue is often not collected-thus there is a small revenue collection.
– Inadequate funds which have their negative multiplier effects on (a) effectiveness of the coordination of the various programs/activities and (b) capacity building to handle the complex decentralised services.
– Weak disaster preparedness and emergency response especially at the LLG levels.
– Maintenance of infrastructure and assets not appropriately addressed.

Opportunities
– The coordinating role for all the activities of the departments at the LG level as well as CG programs and NGOs is a great opportunity.
– The function of co-ordination enables the management services department to maintain linkages with key institutions, organisations and government establishments both at the LG, CG as well as international levels
– The handling of all the CG transfers/grants as well as grants/donations from International Organisations/ NGOs gives an upper-hand in the proper steering of the development process in the District.
– There is that ability to harness huge resources from IOs, NGOs, CBOs and the private sector in general for development by utilizing the infrastructure in place more especially the Districts’ office accommodation facilities, stores, transport (either letting out or just granting them for use free of charge for the duration of their program)
– Being the District civil service head, management services department is able to facilitate the improvement in efficiency, effectiveness and productivity through the appropriate management of the human resources function.

– The coordination/linkage mechanism with other sister LGs through the ULAA Lira DLG is a great opportunity for development Administrative network project provides an excellent opportunity to promote communication, coordination and networking between and among the HLG and LLGs.

Challenges.
– Insecurity: This has seriously affected the management of the District at both the HLG and LLG levels. A significant percentage of the Sub county LGs as well as the local population are still not sure of the security that peace talks are not yet signed. Implementation of planned activities and revenue mobilisation among others is thus severely hampered.
– Poverty: Well over 60% of the total population is living in abject poverty as they are all living in IDP camps and solely dependent on humanitarian assistance. This has serious implications on management services.
– Food insecurity: there is a looming threat of famine especially due to the fact that people whether has not been good. The negative implications are all but obvious.