As the new year 2025 begins, the Director of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (UNCCI) for the Lira & Lango Region, Dr. Morris Chris Ongom, is filled with optimism about the future. Located at Plot 25 Obote Avenue in Lira City, UNCCI is poised for even greater achievements in the coming year. In his recent address, Dr. Ongom highlighted the region’s progress in 2024 and outlined the ambitious goals for the year ahead.
Reflecting on the past year, Dr. Ongom stated, “As we begin a new chapter in 2025, the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) Lira & Lango Region reflects on a year of remarkable achievements, strategic collaborations, and milestones that have advanced the socio-economic transformation of the Lango region. In 2025, we will reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable development, positioning the region as an economic powerhouse.”
The year 2024 was filled with success, marked by collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives that propelled the region forward. Dr. Ongom shared key highlights from the past year:
Strategic Partnerships
In 2024, UNCCI successfully forged both local and international partnerships, opening doors to new trade, investment opportunities, and innovation. These included business missions to Pakistan, Turkey, India, and China, where they explored prospects in construction machinery and agribusiness. As a result, a delegation of nearly 50 agribusiness entrepreneurs will travel to Kenya in January 2025 to build on these prospects.
Through determined lobbying, UNCCI made significant strides in advocating for sectoral growth. Discussions with the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) aimed at improving connectivity, which is critical to industrialization. There were also fruitful collaborations with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), where tax awareness workshops helped improve compliance. Furthermore, dialogues between Lira City Council and business associations such as timber and produce dealers helped improve operational efficiencies.
Infrastructure and Sectoral Development
Members of the UNCCI invested in local infrastructure, including modern hotels, contributing to Lira’s vision of becoming an integrated industrial city. A significant milestone was the securing of the Aler Farm title, laying the foundation for an Integrated Industrial Park. Progress is already being made with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and domestic investors are being encouraged to stay vigilant for future opportunities.
Boda Boda Sector and Workers’ Union
In a move to foster economic security, the Boda Boda community was successfully registered as members of the workers’ union. This is expected to improve organization within the sector, ultimately ensuring better working conditions and enhanced economic stability.
Cotton Sector Revitalization
Through a combination of government initiatives and UNCCI’s advocacy, the cotton value chain is being revived, with the goal of reinvigorating the textile manufacturing sector. Updates on this progress will be shared in 2025.
Capacity Building and Agribusiness Development
UNCCI also placed a strong emphasis on building capacity within the agricultural sector. Through partnerships with organizations such as aBi Trust, the chamber has enhanced farmer clustering and agribusiness development. Additionally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have benefited from business development services, financial inclusion programs, and technological innovations, setting the stage for further growth in 2025.
Looking ahead, the year 2025 promises to be a transformative one for the Lango region. With the launch of the Lango Private Sector Development Strategy (LaPSDS) 2025–2035, the region is set to experience an economic revolution. This strategy, aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, is built on five strategic pillars: infrastructure and industrial development, financial inclusion and SME support, agricultural value chains and market access, technological innovation and digital transformation, and private sector governance with an emphasis on ease of doing business.
Dr. Ongom emphasized that the LaPSDS is not just a plan, but a call to action. One of its key components is the construction of a 7- to 10-storey Chamber House in Lira City, which will serve as a central business and trade hub for the entire Lango region. Additionally, there are plans to lobby for improvements in critical infrastructure, such as the development of the Dr. Apollo Milton Obote International Airport.
In 2025, UNCCI will continue its efforts to foster sector-to-sector engagement, building stronger partnerships with stakeholders both locally and internationally. This, according to Dr. Ongom, is essential for the continued growth and development of the Lango region.
Expressing gratitude to their collaborators and partners, Dr. Ongom thanked members of Parliament, cultural leaders, and key organizations like the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), URSB, aBi Trust, GLOFORD, and PUM Netherlands. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by media houses, religious institutions, financial institutions, NGOs, and community organizations in driving the region’s progress in 2024.
“Your support has been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in 2025,” he remarked.
In conclusion, Dr. Ongom called upon all Lango sons and daughters—across the private sector, government, diaspora, and local communities—to unite and work towards achieving the region’s shared vision of socio-economic transformation. He quoted Frantz Fanon’s words: “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.” With the LaPSDS as their guiding framework, Dr. Ongom is confident that the region will see transformative change, job creation, and an improved quality of life for all.
“Together, we will drive this region to greatness—for Uganda and beyond,” he concluded.
