Suspected Murder Rocks Imvepi Refugee Settlement

Strategic Insights -

In Terego District, Uganda, two South Sudanese refugee women were buried at an illegal gold mining site in the Imvepi Refugee Settlement. The incident occurred on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at around 2:53 PM along the Ure River in Point J Village. The deceased, Nema Onyiyo, a 35-year-old woman of the Keliko tribe, was identified as one of the victims. Her companion, Lilious Pasi, also 35, was rescued by police and is currently in stable condition at Yinga Health Centre III. Preliminary investigations suggest that the two women had left their homes to engage in illegal mining, a practice that persists in the refugee settlement areas despite authorities' efforts to halt it. The incident has highlighted the plight of refugee women, who often turn to illegal mining due to food insecurity and lack of support systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • A suspected murder occurred at an illegal gold mining site in Imvepi Refugee Settlement, involving two South Sudanese refugee women.
  • Nema Onyiyo, a 35-year-old woman of the Keliko tribe, was identified as one of the victims, while her companion, Lilious Pasi, 35, was rescued by police and is in stable condition.
  • Police from Terego Central Police Station responded to the scene and opened a case of suspected murder under file number CRB 218/2025.
  • The body of the deceased was taken to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.
  • The incident highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal mining in refugee settlement areas, despite authorities' efforts to halt it.
  • Refugee women engage in illegal mining due to food insecurity and lack of support systems, according to a refugee welfare council representative.
  • The broader issue of peace in South Sudan has been acknowledged as a key concern by counselors, who stress the need for South Sudanese leaders to address the country's internal conflicts.

Statistics:

  • 2 South Sudanese refugee women were involved in the suspected murder incident.
  • 1 of the women, Nema Onyiyo, was confirmed deceased.
  • 1 of the women, Lilious Pasi, was rescued by police and is in stable condition.
  • 1 case of suspected murder was opened under file number CRB 218/2025.
  • The incident occurred on July 19, 2025, at approximately 2:53 PM.
  • A refugee welfare council representative reported that many refugee women engage in illegal mining due to food insecurity.

Sources:

  • The Independent. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).