By Mike Rwothomio 

A catastrophic incident at an illegal mining site along the Ure River in Point J Village, Imvepi Refugee Settlement, Odupi Sub-county, claimed the life of Nema Onyiyo, 35, and left Lilious Pasi, also 35, injured on July 19, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, police confirmed.

Police say Both women, members of the Keliko Tribe and South Sudanese refugees, were working at the hazardous site when disaster struck.

According to police reports (CRB 218), the two women ventured to the mining site that morning.

SP Collins Asea, West Nile regional police spokesperson confirmed in a statement that, at around 2:00 PM, nearby residents were alerted by cries for help and discovered one woman partially buried in a soil collapse.

Asea added that , the survivor, Lilious Pasi, indicated that two individuals were caught in the incident, with Nema Onyiyo fully trapped.

Despite swift response from the District OC CID and local police, Onyiyo was recovered lifeless and her body was transported to Arua Regional Hospital for a postmortem.

Pasi, rescued and in stable condition, is receiving treatment at Yinga Health Centre III.

The incident underscores the ongoing dangers of illegal mining, which has altered the local landscape and created severe environmental hazards.

Local leaders shared that Many refugee women, driven by food shortages and lack of support, risk their lives in such activities to provide for their families, with vulnerable women and children disproportionately involved.

Authorities have repeatedly attempted to curb these operations, but the practice persists.

Investigations into the suspected murder are ongoing, with further updates expected.

SP Asea Collins, PRO, urges the community to refrain from illegal mining to prevent future tragedies.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot news