About 300 houses and properties worth millions of shillings have been destroyed by suspected Karimojong warriors in Osep and Oedepus Parishes in Ngariam Sub-county, Katakwi District, within a span of just one week. The destruction has left many families without shelter and possessions, compounding the already dire situation faced by the residents.
Moses Iteit, the Local Council Three (LC3) chairperson of Ngariam Sub-county, and Michael Opiok, the LC2 chairperson of Osep Parish, revealed that the incident occurred when residents from the two parishes had sought refuge in these areas following devastating floods that had already displaced many of them. The flooding had already created a difficult living situation, and now the fire has added another layer of hardship for the displaced families.
The fires are suspected to have been deliberately set by Karimojong warriors who, according to the locals, were looking to clear land for grazing their livestock and hunting activities in the region. The residents believe that the warriors may have intentionally set the wildfires on different occasions, further exacerbating the vulnerability of the people already affected by the floods.
George Israel Odongo, a witness to the destruction, shared the tragic details of the loss. He reported that in addition to the homes that were burned down, many essential items were lost in the fire. These included food, clothing, kitchenware, and stored grass that was meant for roofing the houses. With families now left with nothing, Odongo has called on the government to intervene and provide essential supplies, such as iron sheets for roofing and food, to help alleviate the suffering of the affected families.
Geoffrey Omolo, the Katakwi District LC5 chairperson, expressed concern over the situation, noting that the district authorities were not fully aware of the extent of the damage in the two parishes. He explained that wildfires have been becoming increasingly common in areas close to Nabilatuk, and the district is now facing mounting challenges in addressing the issue. The district is calling for urgent action to control the fires and provide the necessary assistance to the affected communities.
The situation remains dire for those in Osep and Oedepus Parishes, and the call for government intervention grows louder as families continue to endure significant losses.
