Karenga District, Uganda — Tragedy struck the heart of Karenga District on Wednesday morning when a devastating fire, reportedly caused by an exploding phone battery, reduced a family home to ashes.
The fire broke out around 10:00 a.m. while the homeowner, Lochen Patrick, was away at the local trading centre.
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, the fire is believed to have started when a mobile phone battery—improperly connected directly to a solar panel for charging—overheated and exploded. With no one home to detect the overheating in time, the fire quickly spread throughout the small house, fueled by flammable household items.
“I had just gone briefly to the centre,” said Lochen Patrick, visibly shaken. “When I came back, there was smoke everywhere. The house was already on fire. We couldn’t save anything.”
The blaze destroyed nearly all of the family’s possessions, including:
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Seven mobile phones
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UGX 150,000 in cash
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Two mattresses
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A number of clothes
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Four plastic chairs
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One wooden bench
By the time neighbors responded to the cries for help, the flames had already consumed most of the structure.
Patrick’s father, Lotyang Aldo, one of the first people to arrive at the scene, issued a strong appeal to the community, urging residents to take greater precautions when using solar power.
“This is a very painful lesson,” Lotyang said. “We appeal to all families — charging phones and batteries must be done safely. Someone should always be nearby to monitor the process. We cannot afford to lose more homes like this.”
He also called on local leaders, NGOs, and well-wishers to assist the family in rebuilding their lives, saying the loss had left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Karenga, a remote district that heavily relies on solar energy due to the lack of access to the national electricity grid, has seen a rise in improvised solar setups. While these systems provide essential lighting and charging solutions, unregulated usage—especially connecting batteries or phones directly to panels without controllers—poses serious risks.
Local leaders and authorities are now working to raise awareness about solar safety. The area LC1 Chairperson is expected to convene a community meeting to discuss preventative measures.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, but early warnings from energy experts echo the same message: solar is a blessing when used correctly — but a danger when misused.
In the meantime, the Lochen family is in urgent need of shelter, food, and basic household items. While community members have begun rallying to provide immediate support, the need remains great.
