news 17 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Jet Fuel Abuse Plagues Lira's Street Children Amidst Drought and Poverty
Street children in Lira City are increasingly turning to sniffing jet fuel, known locally as 'Nyus', as a cheap coping mechanism for hunger, fear, and trauma. This alarming trend exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in the Lango sub-region, which is also grappling with drought and food insecurity. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lira-s-lost-children-how-shs500-jet-fuel-is-fuelling-a-crisis-in-lango-5598956
A disturbing trend is emerging on the streets of Lira City, where children as young as twelve are resorting to sniffing jet fuel, a readily available and inexpensive substance they call ‘Nyus’. This practice, often involving dipping a cloth into the fuel and inhaling its fumes, provides a temporary escape from harsh realities but inflicts severe, lasting damage on their health.
Researchers describe jet fuel as a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that can cause a range of health issues, from immediate irritation to serious systemic diseases with prolonged exposure. The exact number of children living on Lira’s streets is unknown, but estimates suggest it has grown significantly since 2020, with many arriving from surrounding areas due to poverty, domestic violence, and the impact of HIV/AIDS.
These children often survive by scavenging for recyclables, earning minimal amounts to get by. To cope with hunger, exposure, and the emotional toll of their circumstances, many turn to ‘Nyus’. Brian, a 17-year-old who left his home in Oyam District at age 10, exemplifies this struggle. Driven by family conflict, he found himself on the streets of Lira, eventually turning to jet fuel to numb his worries.
Despite Uganda’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act of 2015, which criminalizes drug abuse and related activities, enforcement appears limited in Lira. Dr. Andrew Odur of Lira Regional Referral Hospital warns that rising youth addiction poses a grave threat, questioning the underlying causes rooted in home and school environments, and the safety of the city itself.
Adding to the crisis, the Lango sub-region is facing significant food insecurity due to prolonged drought, which has devastated traditional farming. This climate-induced vulnerability, combined with widespread substance abuse among youth, paints a grim picture of a region struggling to rebuild. Interventions remain fragmented, while the cycle of despair continues for children like those seeking solace in Shs500 bottles of jet fuel.