Elderly woman burnt to death in Zombo bushfire
He described his mother as being in good health, with no known medical complications.
Zombo: A 70-year-old woman has been burnt to death in a bushfire she had allegedly started while clearing land for cultivation in Jangokoro Sub-county, Zombo District.
The deceased, identified as Mary Bidong, commonly known as Mary, died on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Othoru Village, Congambe Parish.
Her body was reportedly discovered in the burnt area after she failed to return home from the garden.
Her son, Isaac Opio, a lay leader at Angasi Church of Uganda, said the family became concerned when their mother did not return home and subsequently organised a search.
“We realised that our mother had not returned from the garden, so we started searching for her. We later discovered her body in the burnt area,” Opio said.
He described his mother as being in good health, with no known medical complications.
Opio added that some of the agricultural produce and food items she had gone to collect were also destroyed by the fire.
Arigasto Gipatho, the LC I Chairperson of Othoru Village, confirmed the incident, saying police visited the scene before handing over the body to the family for burial.
“Upon receiving the news, we informed the police, who later arrived at the scene, picked up her body and handed it over to the family for burial,” Gipatho said.
Meanwhile, Binen David Arua, the Jangokoro Sub-county District Councillor, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and urged communities to pay special attention to the welfare and safety of elderly persons.
By press time, the family was preparing burial arrangements.
The incident highlights the risks associated with uncontrolled bush burning, particularly during land preparation for cultivation.
According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, older persons play an important role in wealth creation, caring for orphans and other vulnerable children, resolving community conflicts and preserving cultural values.
The ministry notes that about 85 per cent of economically active older persons are engaged in crop farming, with many lacking social security protection.
Most older persons live in rural areas and depend largely on agriculture for their livelihoods, while some also shoulder the responsibility of caring for vulnerable children.
Their welfare is further affected by challenges such as age-related discrimination, commonly known as ageism.
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