Two roadside fuel vendors have been arrested in Nwoya district after they allegedly sold petrol to a 17-year-old girl who died after self-immolation.
The suspects, whose identities have been withheld because of the ongoing investigations, were arrested on Tuesday following the death of Paska Ajalo, a resident of Gony Cogo village, Lutuk parish in Lii sub-county, Nwoya district.
Reagan Magombe, Nwoya district police commander, said the suspects sold petrol to a teenager who didn’t even own a motorcycle.
“They don’t have a license to sell such a flammable substance,” said Magombe.
According to Justin Odong Ajaji, LC III chairperson, Lii sub-county, the deceased was living with her uncle, Dominic Okot, who had sent her the previous day to take maize to a grinding mill.
The chairperson says they suspect that Ajalo could have resorted to ending her life out of shame after she was found with a boyfriend.
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“Ajalo was sent to take maize to a maize mill for grinding at Tetugu trading center, but she failed to return home. Her mother, who lives in Tetugu trading center, was called to search for her. She was found standing with some boys, but she and the boys took off,” Odong explained.
He says Ajalo was discovered in critical condition on Tuesday morning by people going to the garden.
“She died while attempts were being made to rush her to the hospital,” said Odong.
Odong now wants the government to regulate the roadside hawking of fuel to avoid such incidents. About two months ago, a woman bought petrol and took it home. It ended up burning her house and leaving her with serious burn wounds. She is still admitted in the hospital.
