Calls mount for government to rescue historic Lira Spinning Mill

In the West Division of Lira City, a sprawling and decaying structure serves as a daily reminder of a once-booming industrial era. The Lira Spinning Mill, which formerly operated as a major state-backed manufacturing powerhouse, now stands in ruins. Its empty shells contrast sharply with its past glory days when it anchored the economy of the Lango sub-region and employed thousands of local workers.

Faced with this prolonged abandonment, local stakeholders have banded together to demand action. During a recent meeting in Lira City, Dr. Morris Chris Ongom, the Director of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Lango Chapter, presented a collective petition on behalf of elders, former employees, cotton farmers, and youth leaders.

Advocates argue that a sustainable restoration of the mill could transform the regional agricultural landscape. It would provide a reliable, local market outlet for cotton farmers who have struggled with declining production and shifting economic tides. Furthermore, revival efforts could finally settle long-standing compensation claims for former staff members while generating vital technical employment opportunities for the younger generation.

Community leaders emphasize that treating the mill’s revival as a strategic national agro-industrial priority aligns with broader goals to strengthen Uganda’s textile sector. Proponents believe that fully implementing supportive frameworks like the National Textile Policy could significantly boost employment and revitalize the agricultural supply chain across northern Uganda.

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