Bush burning is a common practice in West Nile during the dry season, which runs from January to March. People often set bushes on fire to regenerate fresh pasture, hunt wild animals, or simply out of curiosity.
Police in West Nile have warned the public against wild bush burning and the storage of fuel in homes, citing increasing cases of fire outbreaks. Bush burning is a common practice in West Nile during the dry season, which runs from January to March. People often set bushes on fire to regenerate fresh pasture, hunt wild animals, or simply out of curiosity.
At the same time, the region has seen a rise in petrol smuggling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with young boys and men selling fuel by the roadside in nearly every trading center. Many of them store smuggled petrol in their homes, where they and their families sleep, increasing the risk of devastating fires.
Collins Asea, the West Nile Police Spokesperson, cautioned the public against these dangerous practices, emphasizing the need for prevention rather than suffering the consequences of fire outbreaks caused by petrol leaks and uncontrolled bush burning.
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Over the weekend, a bush fire destroyed three houses belonging to Justo Mundua, a Catechist at Alivu Chapel in Azipi Zone. The fire consumed all household items, including liturgical materials and UGX 2 million in cash, which he had reportedly saved for his children’s school fees.
According to sources, the fire started when unknown individuals set bushes along River Eru on fire.
The flames spread through a nearby eucalyptus forest before reaching the Catechist’s home.
The incident has left the Christians of Alivu Chapel in distress, as they were in the final stages of preparing for Sacraments of Confirmation and Matrimony, scheduled to take place in a month.
Currently, the Catechist and his family are being sheltered by a Good Samaritan, while Christians and well-wishers are mobilizing support to help them resettle.
Police in Maracha District are investigating the fire and have called on the public to assist in identifying the culprits.
Meanwhile, Arua City Metropolitan Police are investigating a suspected arson case in Lia Cell, Ayivu Division, where an 80-year-old woman, Berita Guku, succumbed to burns after her grass-thatched house was set on fire at 3:30 am last week.
Her daughter, Polina Badaru (50), and granddaughter, Sharon Maisha (19), survived with injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
Last year, two people died on the outskirts of Arua City after petrol stored inside their house ignited and exploded, killing the owner and a relative. Several others sustained injuries, and property worth millions of shillings was destroyed. The West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECo) has also raised concern over rampant bushfires, which have destroyed 12 electricity poles in the districts of Madi Okollo, Nebbi, and Pakwach.
Lillian Ayot, WENRECo's Communications Officer, warned that the practice of annual bush burning is causing financial losses, as the company must replace destroyed power poles.
