At the boarder of Uganda and South Sudan stands a market serving over 500 traders in Amuru district. Today, a fire that is suspected to have started at 1 am engulfed the market to complete destruction.

The eye witnesses testify that the fire spread so fast they couldn’t save anything. Elegu market is made of bamboo poles, timber and iron sheets which facilitated the heated spread of the fire.

The fire is suspected to have started from a central shop inside the market, to then have spread so fast overpowering the traders and community-Katende Noah, a business man in Elegu town council.

The fire which lasted several hours is said to have caused many traders losses in millions as nothing was saved. One would be right to say, ‘Elegu market does not exist anymore.’

Osborn Oceng – Resident District  Commissioner for Amuru district says that the police couldn’t put out the fire since the fire fighting truck at Elegu Central Police station broke down about 3 months ago. The fire fighting truck from Gulu came to the scene when the fire had destroyed everything.

Investigations on whether it was accidental or intended arson is under way, says the RDC Amuru district.

COURTESY PHOTO.