By Carolyne Muyama

If you haven’t visited Lira in fifteen years, you might find yourself lost in your own backyard. I recall visiting in 2010, when it was a quiet place of recovery. At that time, dust-covered, low-roofed buildings lined the streets, and the town seemed like a weary trading center catching its breath after the pain caused by the LRA insurgency. We all remember the tragedy of Barlonyo; it was an era when NGO vehicles were common, and residents were just beginning to leave the camps and return home.

But today, Lira has a new face. As an officer with the Uganda Media Centre, I recently spent time there to “track the shilling.” We wanted to see whether the billions the government sent for programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga were actually reaching the people on the ground.

What I saw wasn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; it was a city of skyscrapers, cranes, and a vibrant nightlife. More importantly, I saw a revolution led by the women of Lango.

The Erute North Example: From Begging to Bossing

In our Fourth National Development Plan (NDPIV), the government emphasizes “Human Capital Development.” In simple terms, this means giving people the skills and the money to work. In Lira town, I met Ms. Milly Grace Ajoro.

Milly was once a struggling single mother. She lived in fear of moneylenders and their high interest rates. Then she joined the Erute North Women Entrepreneurs SACCO and obtained an Emyooga loan. Today, she isn’t just surviving; she is thriving. She makes sweaters, baby clothes, and shoes. Her daughters are in school, and their fees are paid on time.

Milly told me something I will never forget: “I am no longer a beggar. The government put money in my hand.” Her SACCO has grown to 102 members and is now worth 196 million shillings. These women are producing wine, processing honey, and making cosmetics. This is the heart of NDPIV, taking local products and adding value before they are sold.

Why the Woman’s Shilling Multiplies

The testimonies of the women we spoke with showed that when you put money in women’s hands, it benefits the whole community. These women are earning income, and their children are in school. Ms. Atim Stella received UGX 1m under the Parish Development Model program in 2023 and shifted her business from selling tomatoes to producing.

“I have realized a difference in my life. I pay school fees for my children, and I have a deposit on a piece of land somewhere. My capital has now grown to UGX 3m.”

Business Growth

I met Ms. Immaculate Abeja, who started with only 25,000 shillings to produce wine. With a small Emyooga loan of 200,000 shillings, she improved her branding and launched a new line of composite flour.

The “Market Rush”

Women in Lira are no longer just “staying in the garden.” They are entrepreneurs who rush from their gardens to their market stalls. They are the engine of the Lira Main Market, which stands like a giant monument to trade in the center of the city.

They are also serious traders in produce, loading and offloading trucks. The women are especially happy that they can provide for their children and live improved lifestyles because they have some money in their control.

The District Health Officer, Dr. Patrick Ocan, said more people are accessing healthcare now because they have spare money for transport or bicycles.

Farmers Turning Homes into “Economic Units”

The government’s goal under NDPIV is Agro-Industrialization. In villages, this is visible through efforts of farmers supported by infrastructure.

MMP Agro Industries buys sunflower and soya in large volumes from farmers.

Mr. Patrick Olobo at Mwalimu Smart Farm uses irrigation to grow bananas and coffee year-round and supports his workers.

Mr. Patrick Otim in Ogur Sub-County turned UGX 1m from PDM into a growing enterprise—maize, a cow, a motorcycle, and now four acres of soya beans.

The Secret Power: Unity and Roads

Development is supported by infrastructure like “seed oil roads” under the National Oil Seeds Project, connecting farmers to factories.

Local leadership cooperation has also played a role. Over UGX 22 billion has been invested in Lira District, with 90% reaching communities.

My Message to You

Lira shows that government programs can work. NDPIV is not just policy—it is visible in businesses, farms, and infrastructure.

Ugandans are encouraged to join SACCOs, engage extension workers, and utilize available funds.

“If Lira can transform from  the pain of 2010 into the powerhouse of 2026, so can your village.”

ForGod and My Country