Alebtong family loses UGX 1.3 million in PDM funds in house fire

7 May 2025, 2:00 pm

By Denish Ongora

A family in Oyengo Lwedo B, Awei sub county, Alebtong district, has been left in sorrow after losing their Parish Development Model (PDM) funds in a house fire.

The incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday when a house belonging to Okwir Ambrose caught fire, destroying several items, including UGX 1.3 million he had received under the PDM initiative.

Fiona Aceng, Mr Okwir’s wife, said she returned from her business premises only to find their home engulfed in flames.

Although the fire destroyed all their property, she confirmed that their three children managed to escape through the back door and were unharmed.

Aceng stated that the PDM funds, which they had received on 13 April 2025, had not yet been used.

She explained that the family had planned to use the money to roof a business premises they are constructing in Lira City.

Okello Peter, the LC1 Chairman of Oyengo Lwedo B, said the matter was reported to the relevant security authorities, including the Officer in Charge of Awei Police Station and the Gombolola Internal Security Officer, for further action.

Sam Oyena Obonyo, the LC3 Chairman of Awei sub county, confirmed the incident and expressed sympathy for the affected household.

He added that he would engage PDM leaders to prepare a report in the hope that the family might be pardoned and reconsidered for future funding.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, although Aceng suspects it may have been triggered by an exploded solar battery.