Residents of Lacan-odak Village in Kal Parish, Atanga Town Council, Pader District, are facing hardship after a devastating fire on February 23, 2025, destroyed 13 grass-thatched houses. The blaze consumed all belongings inside, with estimated losses exceeding 15 million shillings, including 30 iron sheets (32 gauge), mattresses, and sacks of grains.
Eyewitness Joseph Penytoo said the fire started around noon on Sunday, February 24, 2025. The Lacan-odak Village chairperson, Ali Ottober, told Uganda Radio Network that a child suspected to be mentally unstable allegedly bought a matchbox and set some grass on fire. The flames quickly spread to a nearby banana plantation and eucalyptus trees. Despite efforts by locals to put it out, the fire became uncontrollable.
Ottober confirmed that 13 houses were completely burned, with all possessions lost. He revealed that he lost property worth over six million shillings and is now struggling to care for 10 people. Another victim, George Otim, lost three houses, including his maize grinding machine.
A woman known as “Min Lucky” also lost three houses. The affected families are in urgent need of assistance, and Ottober has appealed to well-wishers for support, noting that schoolchildren among the victims have been forced to stay home.
Pader District Vice Chairperson Justin Ocen acknowledged the dire situation but stated that the district lacks funds to handle such emergencies, relying instead on the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness for intervention. Meanwhile, on the same day, another fire incident in Alop Village, Adilang Sub-County, Agago District, destroyed 12 grass-thatched houses.
The fire, whose origin remains unknown, left several families in distress. Mary Akulu, one of the victims, lost food, cash, bicycles, radios, and household items. Christine Anying from Adiyo-Cayi Village lost two sacks of peas and other valuables, with total losses running into millions of shillings.
Adilang Sub-County Chairperson III, Mohamed Okwir, urged residents to avoid reckless bush burning during the dry season, warning that such incidents could be prevented. He added that local leaders would discuss strategies to mitigate future disasters.