Babies aged 3 and 4 die in suspected arson in Kole – police

Amule Melesia aged 3 and Kizza Innocent, 4, have died in a suspected arson at the Teaboke cell Akwirididi ward, Aboke sub-county in Kole district.

In a media statement on Friday afternoon, North Kyoga region police PRO SP Jimmy Patrick Okema said territorial police in Kole district have launched an investigation into the suspected death by arson.

The incident, he said, occurred on April 16, 2026, at around 8pm. It was reported to the police by Okello Eddy, 41, a mechanic and a resident of Akwirididi.

It’s alleged that on April 16, 2026, at around 8pm, Ajok Rachael left her two children sleeping in the house with a local lamp and went to buy some items for cooking her food.

On her way back from the shop she saw fire burning her house with the children inside. She immediately made an alarm and her neighbours came for rescue but unfortunately, they couldn’t do much forcing the children to burn in the house.

“An incident of death by arson was registered at Aboke sub-county police station and later transferred to Kole CPS,” SP Okema said.

The scene was visited by District SOCO and a team of homicide squad from Kole CPS. The remains of the deceased were recovered and handed over to relatives, while relevant statements have been recorded from close relatives.

None of their immediate neighbours was around at the time of the incident. The local lamp believed to have started the fire was recovered inside the house by SOCO.

Okema revealed that the remains of the two children were burnt beyond recognition.

“It’s such a sad incident,” SP Okema said, and appealed to community members to try their best to acquire solar lights rather than local lamps and candles which put our lives at risk.