72-year-old widow loses sh17m in house fire in Yumbe
The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at around 3:00am in Takwa cell, about 500 metres from Yumbe main market behind Takwa primary school.
Huts gutted by fire in Takwa cell in Yumbe town council, Yumbe district. (Photos by Adam Gule)
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A 72-year-old widow, Zila Ijobiru, and her family in Yumbe town council, Yumbe district, are counting losses following a sudden fire outbreak that gutted two of their huts, destroying cash amounting to sh17m.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at around 3:00am in Takwa cell, about 500 metres from Yumbe main market behind Takwa primary school.
Witnesses said the incident happened when Ijobiru was asleep in her hut. Ijobiru stays in the hut next to that of her grandson, Hamza Achidri, commonly known as Safaa, a senior four student at Aringa Secondary School and a member of Yumbe Professional Bouncers Association. However, Achidri was away to watch a World Cup match between Argentina and African side Cape Verde.
Mariam Adiru, a neighbour of Ijobiru, said she had moved out to ease herself when she saw fire on top of Achidri's hut. Adiru said the fire had covered almost the entire roof of the hut, letting off a thick black smoke.
According to Adiru, she immediately made an alarm, which made other neighbours to wake up. "We tried to put out the fire, but it was too late to save Achidri's hut," Adiru said.
"The fire was raging while Ijobiru was deeply asleep inside her hut. If we did not break her door, she would have probably died inside," Adiru said.
Ratib Moga Latigo, the chairperson of Takwa cell, showing ashes of the money burnt in the house.
Adiru revealed that during the rescue process, the old woman sustained injuries and was rushed to Rhema medical centre in Yumbe town for treatment.
"No one was seen in the action but we suspect that some criminal gangs in the community could be behind it," he said.
Latigo revealed that the old woman, who was a renowned businessperson operating in South Sudan, lost sh17m in the inferno.
Ijobiru reported that she had kept the money in a cupboard inside her hut with the aim of constructing a house for her grandson Achidri.
Latigo called on the Government and members of the public to support the family in this difficult moment.
The Police Spokesperson for North West Nile region, Collins Asea, confirmed the incident, saying investigations would be carried out to establish the cause.
"The complainant (Ijobiru) is still unwell, we shall record a statement from her once she gets well," Asea said.