Police in Zombo District are investigating a suspected case of murder by arson after an 11-month-old baby girl was burnt to death when a grass-thatched house caught fire at midday on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Pimer Pamungu Pretty, died on December 1, 2025, at around 12pm in Amogi Cell, Jupandindo Ward, Padea Town Council.
The incident was reported by the baby’s mother, Jennifer Ayunga, a 20-year-old peasant farmer who had left home briefly to collect vegetables in a nearby valley.
She had left her two young children—aged four years and 11 months—inside the house.
According to police, Ayunga heard alarms coming from the direction of her home and rushed back, only to find her compound filled with neighbours as flames engulfed the family’s grass-thatched hut.
“When the mother returned, the entire structure had already collapsed. Despite efforts by community members to check the debris, the baby was found burnt beyond recognition,” said SSP Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Region Police Spokesperson.
Ayunga reported the matter immediately at Padea Police Station, prompting officers to visit and document the scene.
Police conducted a postmortem examination at the site and later handed over the remains to the family for burial.
Angucia described the incident as deeply tragic and confirmed that detectives are treating the case as suspected arson.
“Our preliminary findings indicate that this was not an accidental fire. We have opened inquiries under Paidha CRB 379/2025, and efforts to identify and arrest the suspected arsonist are underway,” she said.
She urged the public to remain calm and support the investigation, noting that deliberate house fires remain a growing concern in parts of northern Uganda, where many families still rely on highly flammable grass-thatched structures.
“We appeal to anyone with information that can support our investigations to come forward. Such acts are criminal, painful, and unacceptable in our communities,” Angucia added.
Police say inquiries are ongoing as the hunt for the suspected perpetrator continues.