Mityana Woman Dies After Setting Herself Alight Over Marital Dispute

A deeply troubling incident has occurred in Mityana district, where a young woman has died after allegedly setting herself ablaze following a dispute with her husband. Irene Nakagulire, 23, a resident of Kasiba village, is reported to have died on Thursday morning after a heated argument with her husband, Henry Ziriggwa.

According to police reports, the disagreement stemmed from Nakagulire’s accusation that Ziriggwa intended to reconcile with his former wife. This led to a quarrel, after which Ziriggwa reportedly left their home. Following his departure, Nakagulire is said to have sent their four-year-old daughter to her maternal relatives before locking herself inside their house.

Tragically, Nakagulire then allegedly set the house on fire. Neighbors who rushed to the scene were unable to enter as the door had been locked from the inside. They eventually alerted local authorities, who, upon arrival, found Nakagulire severely burned and her body beyond recognition. Her remains have been taken to Mityana Hospital for a postmortem examination.

This incident occurred within the couple’s six-month marriage. Investigations are ongoing, with statements from Nakagulire’s mother-in-law indicating Nakagulire had expressed distress about her husband’s potential reconciliation with his ex-wife, stating she would only accept it if she was provided with a new home.

The tragedy occurs against a backdrop of persistent domestic violence cases reported across Uganda. Official police crime statistics from 2025 reveal a significant number of domestic violence cases and related deaths, with disputes over property, financial issues, substance abuse, and infidelity cited as common causes.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/mityana-woman-dies-after-setting-self-ablaze-over-husband