Catalyzes the attachment of a first N-acetyl-N-hydroxylysine to a carboxylic group of citric acid to yield N-citryl-N-acetyl-N-hydroxylysine. Involved in the biosynthesis of the siderophore aerobactin which is a chelator that mediates the high-affinity iron transport systems induced under iron-stressed conditions. ATP + citrate + N(6)-acetyl-N(6)-hydroxy-L-lysine = AMP + diphosphate + H(+) + N(2)-citryl-N(6)-acetyl-N(6)-hydroxy-L-lysine Siderophore biosynthesis; aerobactin biosynthesis. Belongs to the IucA/IucC family.