A catastrophic fire has rendered hundreds homeless in Lonangat Village, Lorengedwat Sub-County, Nabilatuk District, after a desperate attempt by young boys to hunt wild rats for food went disastrously wrong.
The blaze erupted at midday destroying millions of shillings’ worth of property and leaving dozens injured.
According to witnesses, the fire began when the boys, struggling to find food amidst the severe hunger crisis in Karamoja, set a bush ablaze to flush out wild rats, a survival method commonly used in the region.
Strong winds fanned the flames, which quickly spread, engulfing homes, granaries, and crops.
Locals salvaged their household belongs and kept them along the highway, far from the blaze
“We saw the fire coming from the bush, and within minutes, it had reached the village,” recounted Agnes Loli, a resident of Lonangat.
“We tried to stop it, but it was too powerful.”
SP Lewis Mugwisagye, the Officer in Charge of Nabilatuk District Police Station, confirmed that officers were immediately deployed to contain the inferno and assist the displaced.
“Our officers worked tirelessly, but the fire had already spread by the time we arrived,” Mugwisagye said.
Mike Longole, Karamoja Police Spokesperson, advised residents to relocate to safer areas to minimise further risks.
The devastation has left residents in dire straits, with many now camped along the Moroto-Nakapiripirit road without food, shelter, or basic necessities.
“We have nothing left,” lamented Peter Lokol, a father of four who lost his home in the fire. “We need clothes, bedding, and food. Our children are sleeping in the open.”
The fire has exposed the severe hunger crisis plaguing Karamoja, forcing families to resort to unconventional food sources like wild rats.
The situation underscores the urgency of addressing food insecurity in the region.
As the ruins of Lonangat Village cool, the tragedy stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable solutions to the region’s hunger crisis and the importance of immediate humanitarian intervention to alleviate the suffering of affected families.
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