Pakwach is in Pakwach District, West Nile sub-region. It is approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi), by road, east of Nebbi, the nearest large town. This is approximately 131 kilometres (81 mi), by road, southeast of Arua, the largest city in the West Nile sub-region. This is along the western bank of the Albert Nile, approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi), by road, southwest of Gulu, the largest city in the Uganda's Northern Region. The Gulu-Arua road bridge at Pakwach is the only bridge in Uganda that crosses the Albert Nile.