Lira, Uganda | MTN Uganda has officially handed over the newly rebranded Lira Main Market to Lira City authorities, in a move aimed at strengthening local commerce, improving the business environment, and boosting revenue collection.
The handover ceremony, held on December 19, 2025, brought together market vendors, city officials, and representatives from MTN Uganda.
The initiative forms part of the telecom company’s broader commitment to community development through infrastructure support and business empowerment.
Speaking at the event, Lira City Mayor, Mr Sam Atul, urged traders to take advantage of knowledge and skills gained through partnerships with private companies to grow their businesses.
“As Lira City, we are partnering with various companies, particularly MTN Uganda, to impart knowledge and skills to our people. We need to embrace these initiatives to develop our businesses and the city as a whole,” Mr Atul said.
The mayor noted that many successful business owners in Lira started as small-scale traders at the main market and gradually expanded their operations, expressing optimism that the rebranded market would further support such growth.
“We appreciate MTN Uganda for rebranding the main market. This will boost businesses and help us generate more local revenue,” he added.
Lira Resident City Commissioner, Mr Lawrance Egole, called on vendors and political leaders to protect the newly renovated facility, warning against the posting of political posters on market walls.
“This renovation and rebranding is our pride. Vendors must protect this market with all their effort,” Mr Egole said, directing the market leadership to ensure the facility remains intact.
Meanwhile, Lira City Deputy Town Clerk, Ms Rebecca Acen, commended MTN Uganda for the facelift and for providing business training to market users, saying the city looks forward to continued collaboration.
“We shall continue working together to ensure Lira City becomes a better place for all of us,” she said.
Representing MTN Uganda, Mr Peter Ocen, the company’s Marketing Manager for Northern Uganda, reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to improving the welfare of traders and promoting digital inclusion.
He said MTN is encouraging the use of MoMo mobile money services to reduce risks associated with cash handling.
“We want to eliminate physical handling of money because it exposes business people to theft and unnecessary losses. We are promoting MoMo for business transactions and working to make it more affordable,” Mr Ocen said.
The rebranding of Lira Main Market is part of MTN Uganda’s nationwide effort to support economic empowerment and digitisation.
City leaders and vendors expressed optimism that the upgraded market will attract more traders and shoppers, strengthening Lira’s position as a key commercial hub in northern Uganda.
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