A tragic accident at an illegal gold mining site in Imvepi Refugee Settlement has claimed the life of Nema Onyiyo, a 35-year-old South Sudanese refugee, and left another woman injured, reigniting concerns over the dangers faced by refugees who turn to risky survival strategies due to limited resources and support.
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The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Point J Village, Odupi Sub-county, when Onyiyo and her companion, Lilious Pasi—also 35 and from the Keliko ethnic group—were caught in a soil collapse while digging at an unauthorized mining site. Locals responded to cries for help and managed to rescue Lilious, who was found conscious but trapped. She later confirmed that Nema had been buried under the debris. Onyiyo’s body was retrieved and taken to Arua Regional Hospital for postmortem.
While police have opened a suspected murder case, initial investigations indicate the death was accidental, caused by unsafe mining conditions. Authorities, including the District CID and West Nile regional police spokesperson Asea Collins, emphasized the dangers of illegal mining and the need for tighter enforcement, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Despite ongoing sensitization campaigns, unauthorized mining continues along the Ure River in Terego District. Many refugee women, often left without partners or sufficient aid, turn to unregulated gold panning as a last resort to provide for their families. Community leaders warn that this is not just a law enforcement issue, but a humanitarian and environmental crisis.
Environmental experts have raised alarm about the ecological consequences of such practices, including the risk of landslides, water pollution, and erosion.
The loss of Onyiyo has prompted renewed calls for stronger interventions. Stakeholders such as the Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR, and district authorities are being urged to expand livelihood support programs, enforce mining regulations, and improve refugee food security to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities have declared the mining site a crime scene, though no arrests have been made. Police are appealing for community cooperation as investigations continue.
Onyiyo’s death, residents say, is a painful reminder of the deadly choices refugees must sometimes make to survive—and a wake-up call for immediate and coordinated action.
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