Map of Lira, Uganda

Lira is a city in Northern Region, Uganda, with a population of about 119,323. It lies at 2.2499°N, 32.8999°E. Lira is about 218 km (135 mi) north of Kampala, the capital. The nearest city on our map is Apac, 50 km to the southwest.

Lira at a glance

Where is Lira?

• The 10th largest city in Uganda by recorded population.
• The 2nd largest city in Northern Region on this site.
• Located in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres.
• Daylight ranges from about 11 h 59 min on the shortest day to 12 h 15 min on the longest day (around 21 December and 21 June).

Cities near Lira

• Apac — 50 km southwest
• Gulu — 89 km northwest
• Soroti — 99 km southeast
• Kitgum — 114 km north
• Kumi — 145 km southeast
• Masindi — 146 km southwest
• Pallisa — 152 km southeast
• Adjumani — 176 km northwest
• Pajok — 185 km north, South Sudan
• Hoima — 194 km southwest

Largest cities in Northern Region

• Gulu — 177,400
• Kotido — 75,700
• Arua — 72,400
• Apac — 67,700
• Koboko — 64,500
• Kitgum — 56,891
• Yumbe — 47,600
• Nebbi — 41,400
• Paidha — 37,500
• Adjumani — 37,100

Largest cities in Uganda

• Kampala — 1,680,600
• Mbarara — 221,300
• Mukono — 191,300
• Njeru — 178,800
• Gulu — 177,400
• Kajansi — 135,600
• Lugazi — 128,400
• Hoima — 122,700
• Mubende — 121,600
• Ibanda — 117,700

Map of Uganda and all its cities →

Sources: place names, coordinates, populations and time zones from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0, data retrieved October 2026). Population figures are the latest values recorded in GeoNames; depending on the country they refer to the city proper, a municipality or a wider urban area, so they can differ from census or metro-area figures. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.