Masindi Police probe sudden death of water intern, detain roommates

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Shock has gripped residents of Kisengya cell in Masindi district's Nyangahya division after a 19-year-old female intern was found dead in her bed on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, morning.

The deceased has been identified as Mercy Ahaisibwe, a plumber internee at the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Masindi branch.

A local resident, who preferred anonymity, told New Vision Online that Ahaisibwe had spent the night with friends and had shared a bed with one of them. 

"It was her roommates who discovered she was unresponsive and alerted other residents, who then contacted Police,’’ she narrated.

The Police later visited the scene and transported the body to Masindi Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem.

Kisengya cell vice-chairperson Gladys Nalinya confirmed the incident but said she had not been formally briefed. 

“One of the residents informed me about the death, but I haven’t received any official report. It’s true someone died in that house,” she said.

Albertine North region Police commander Damalie Nachuha also confirmed the incident, describing it as a sudden death.

According to Nachuha, the deceased had been sharing a room with two other young women.

“They reportedly prepared food, ate together, and all three became unconscious. The two later regained consciousness, but Ahaisibwe did not,” Nachuha said.

Preliminary findings suggest that the food the trio consumed might have been poisoned, as all three are said to have vomited after eating. 

However, police say the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after a full autopsy.

“We have arrested and detained the two roommates at Masindi Central Police Station as investigations continue into the cause of Ahaisibwe's death,” Nachuha added.

This is not the first incident, on March 16, 2024, residents of Kibwona cell in Karujubu division, Masindi municipality, were left in agony after a 37-year-old Robinson Ahaabwe who was a bodaboda rider at the Rutumba stage next to Kyobe Grills washing bay in Masindi town was found dead in a house after missing for days.

On July 22, 2024, residents of Nyangahya Cell Central division in Masindi municipality were left in shock after discovering the body of Richard Kibegenya. The deceased was living alone.