Suspected ordnance explosion kills 3 children in Lamwo

Police in Lamwo district are investigating a tragic incident in which three children were killed following a suspected unexploded ordnance (UXO) explosion in Palabek Gem sub-county.

The fatal incident occurred on March 7, 2026, at around 1:14 p.m. in Pawich village.

According to reports from the Uganda Police Force, a group of children had earlier gone to a nearby bush at about 9:00 a.m. to harvest palm tree fruits. While in the bush, they reportedly discovered a rusty metallic object believed to be scrap metal.

Unaware of the danger, the children allegedly carried the object back home, intending to sell it as scrap. IP Oloya Joe, the Aswa East regional Police spokesperson says the object was later noticed by their mother, who advised them to return it to where they had found it.

However, shortly after she briefly left to collect a bicycle from a neighbor, a loud explosion was heard behind the house. When she returned, she found the three children critically injured. They later succumbed to their injuries.

Oloya identified the deceased as Odoch Lawrence, 14, Walegu Gum Sunday, 12, and Comboni Daniel, 13, all pupils of Unity Primary School in Lamwo district.

He revealed that the Police officers from Lamwo Central Police Station (CPS) responded to the scene, where a scene-of-crime examination was conducted.

 

Fragments of the suspected explosive device were recovered and preserved as exhibits for further technical analysis.

 

Authorities confirmed that a Death Enquiry File (Lamwo CPS-003/2026) has been opened to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the explosion. Statements have also been recorded from witnesses, including children who had accompanied the victims earlier in the day.

 

Postmortem examinations were conducted before the bodies were handed over to relatives for burial.

 

William Komakech, the Resident District Commissioner Lamwo said the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Bomb Squad from the 5th Division has been notified and tasked to conduct a search operation in the area to identify and safely dispose of any other possible unexploded ordnance.

 

Security operatives have cautioned members of the public, particularly those living in areas that previously experienced armed conflict, to avoid touching or carrying unknown metallic objects found in bushes, gardens, or abandoned areas, as they could be dangerous explosive remnants of war.

 

Komakech has urged residents to immediately report any suspicious objects to the nearest police station, local leaders, or security authorities for safe handling by trained experts.

 

The Uganda Police Force also extended condolences to the bereaved families and the community as investigations into the origin and nature of the suspected ordnance continue.

 

Northern Uganda has previously experienced similar incidents involving unexploded ordnance left behind during past conflicts. In November 2023, a teenage boy in Agago District was killed after unknowingly picking up an explosive device while grazing animals.

 

In March 2024, two children in Pader district sustained severe injuries when a UXO exploded as they played near their home. In June 2024, a farmer in Amuru district lost his leg after striking an old landmine with his hoe while digging in his garden.

 

Security reports also indicate that in January 2018, officials in Wol Sub-county in Agago District safely detonated three mortar bombs suspected to have been left behind by Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) combatants after they were uncovered by bushfires.

 

Despite ongoing efforts by the UPDF and humanitarian organizations to clear explosive remnants of war, local leaders say several areas in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions may still contain dangerous unexploded devices.

 

Community leaders are therefore calling for increased support from government and development partners to strengthen unexploded ordnance clearance operations in the region.

 

They also recommend intensified community sensitisation programmes to educate residents, especially children, about the dangers of handling unknown metallic objects, emphasising that although armed conflict ended years ago, explosive remnants of war may still pose a serious threat to communities.