Lira Spinning Mill Key to Reviving Textile Value Chain, Says Parliament

18 August 2026, 5:13 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Members of the 12th Parliament have strongly urged the Government to prioritize the revitalization of Uganda’s cotton and textile value chain through the rehabilitation and operationalization of the Lira Spinning Mill.

The motion was moved by Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko, the Oyam North Constituency Member of Parliament and UPC Whip, who emphasized that the Lira Spinning Mill was once a thriving industrial giant in the Lango sub-region. She noted that the mill was originally designed to consume Ugandan-grown cotton, supply domestic textile factories, and provide stable employment opportunities before it fell silent more than four decades ago.

In support of the motion, Hon. Cohen Amanya, the Member of Parliament for Igara West, proposed an amendment to broaden the scope of the initiative to include all cotton milling factories across the country. He argued that a nationwide approach would ensure equitable development and maximize the benefits of cotton production for all regions.

Hon. Richard Ongorok, the Member of Parliament for Usuk County, recalled that the Teso sub-region was once the largest cotton-growing area in Uganda before the economic collapse of the 1960s. He stressed that cotton was historically the backbone of education and foreign exchange earnings, enabling children to attend school and strengthening the national economy. He expressed strong support for the revitalization of the cotton industry, highlighting its potential to restore livelihoods and economic stability.

Responding to the motion, the State Minister for Cooperatives, Hon. Tom Aza, assured Parliament that Government is committed to the cause. He promised to present an action-taken report detailing ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and operationalize cotton milling factories across the country, including the Lira Spinning Mill.

This parliamentary debate underscores the urgency of reviving Uganda’s cotton industry, which has the potential to create jobs, boost exports, and restore the country’s textile sector as a cornerstone of industrial growth.