The Pakistan Association Lira Uganda is now divided into two factions following a heated leadership dispute over who is the rightful president or chairperson of the community.
The association is made up of members living in Lira City and different districts in the Lango sub-region.
Speaking to the press at his office in Lira City, the incumbent president, Ateeq Muhammad Nawaz, who has led the association for over eight years, addressed what he termed as misinformation circulating in the community.
He dismissed claims that a new president had already been elected. “The rumors that we currently have a new Pakistan president are not true. Since I was appointed, we have not held any election for this position.”
Ateeq clarified that the community is scheduled to go to the polls in June 2026 to elect a president of their choice. “Therefore, as the Pakistan Association Lira, we want to condemn the actions of our colleagues who are misleading the public by claiming that an election for a new president took place last year in December. That is not true; our election is scheduled for June 2026,” he said.
He added that the presidential position will officially become vacant in two months, calling upon anyone interested in contesting to wait and participate when the time comes.
“We must work together to avoid division, hatred, and jealousy so that we can continue serving the people of Lango and the Northern region,” Ateeq urged.
Meanwhile, in a contrasting development, a separate faction of the association, led by the self-declared new Vice President, Muhammad Islam Nasir Khan, held an event in Lira City on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
During the gathering, the group donated essential food items for Eid—including sugar, salt, rice, and cooking oil—to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lira City to ensure they could celebrate the festival with dignity.
Speaking on Monday, March 16, 2026, Vice President Islam Khan Muhammad emphasised the group’s commitment to community support. “We always want to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with needy people to show our love for them and ensure they are not left out.”
He highlighted that such donations are a recurring act of service. “It is not our first time giving out these assorted items to our people, especially the Pakistan community living in Lira under the association,” he stated.
Khan added that in January 2026, they also provided similar support to all Muslim mosques in Lira City. He noted that this donation follows other recent efforts, including Ramadan relief for PWDs and support for local orphanages, underscoring their role in uplifting vulnerable populations in the Lango sub-region.
Regarding the leadership conflict, Khan asserted that no election is currently scheduled to happen. He explained that Pakistan community associations across the country operate under the supervision of top leaders based in Kampala.
He claimed that the term of their former president, Ateeq Muhammad Nawaz, officially ended on December 5, 2025.
Khan further elaborated on the association’s governance structure, stating, “Since this association started in Uganda, we have never held an election. The president is normally chosen by our superiors: the supreme body on who should lead the association nationwide. So currently, Ateeq Muhammad Nawaz is not the president.”
Khan reaffirmed his group’s commitment to supporting the local community. “As we continue doing business in Lira City and Uganda, we will keep supporting local people by giving back. We are here because they support us, and without them, we would not exist.”
At the donation ceremony, Lira City Mayor Sam Atul praised the initiative, describing it as a heartfelt act of generosity. “The art of giving comes from the heart. We have to appreciate even the little that is given. If they were mean, they couldn’t mobilize their resources to give out. This is the spirit we need to follow to help one another.”
The association is embroiled in an internal leadership dispute. Islam Khan reiterated that the supreme supervisory body elected Mian Muhammad Nashir as the new Lira president to replace Ateeq Muhammad Nawaz.
However, Ateeq Nawaz, who has served for over eight years, has reportedly refused to step down despite the transition deadline of December 5, 2025.
“The supreme body that supervises the Lira Association has elected Mian Muhammad Nashir as their president to replace Ateeq Nawaz, but unfortunately, he has rejected the decision and refused to hand over to the new person on board.”
In all these leadership fights, the Pakistan community in Lango have for years been commended for their generosity to the needy.
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