NWOYA, UGANDA — Two individuals engaged in the unlicensed roadside sale of fuel have been apprehended in Nwoya district following allegations that they sold petrol to a 17-year-old girl who subsequently died by self-immolation.
The identities of the arrested suspects are being withheld pending the conclusion of ongoing police investigations. The arrests, which occurred on Tuesday, followed the death of Paska Ajalo, a resident of Gony Cogo village, Lutuk parish in Lii sub-county, Nwoya district.
Reagan Magombe, the Nwoya district police commander, stated that the suspects sold petrol to a minor who did not possess a motorcycle. “They don’t have a license to sell such a flammable substance,” emphasized Magombe.
According to Justin Odong Ajaji, the LC III chairperson for Lii sub-county, the deceased had been residing with her uncle, Dominic Okot, who had instructed her the previous day to transport maize to a local grinding mill.
The chairperson indicated that authorities suspect Ajalo may have taken her own life due to feelings of shame after being discovered with a boyfriend. “Ajalo was sent to take maize to a maize mill for grinding at Tetugu trading center, but she failed to return home. Her mother, who lives in Tetugu trading center, was called to search for her. She was found standing with some boys, but she and the boys took off,” Odong explained.
He further stated that Ajalo was discovered in critical condition on Tuesday morning by individuals en route to their gardens. “She died while attempts were being made to rush her to the hospital,” said Odong.
Mr. Odong is now urging the government to implement regulations governing the informal roadside sale of fuel to prevent similar tragedies. He noted a prior incident approximately two months ago where a woman purchased petrol from a roadside vendor, which subsequently led to a fire that severely burned her house and left her hospitalized with serious injuries.
