Several homes in Natirae Village have been reduced to ashes after a group of youths hunting rats for food accidentally sparked a fire that quickly spread through the community. The incident took place in Natirae Village, Nabilatuk District.
Local leaders are now appealing to the government and development partners to urgently intervene, saying residents have been left with nothing.
Joseph Ilukol, one of the residents who rushed to help extinguish the flames, said the fire grew out of control within minutes.
“The furnace was too hot, and we didn’t have enough water to put it off,” Ilukol said, adding that villagers struggled for hours but were unable to save the homes.
Margret Nakwang, a mother in the area, said she was shocked when she first saw the smoke.
“I saw the smoke and ran with the neighbours to try and put off the fire, but it was too late,” she said.
Natirae Parish Chief Timothy Teko said the affected families have lost everything.
“The residents have lost all belongings in the furnace. They need food, bedding and temporary accommodation,” Teko said.
He urged the government and humanitarian agencies to step in and support those affected.
Burning bushes to hunt for rats is a long-standing practice among the Karamojong, particularly during the lean season when food becomes scarce and rats are one of the few available sources of protein.
