Police detain four over suspected poisoning at Kololo hangout

KAMPALA - Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) on Thursday, March 20, 2025, confirmed they had detained four suspects, employees of popular Kololo hangout spot Mezo Noir as they sought to establish circumstances under which a client was drugged at their premises.

Martha Ahumuza, a recent graduate of ISBAT University, currently on life support, collapsed and was rushed to hospital after allegedly taking the suspected spiked drink at the club.

KMP spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed arrests had been made and that they were investigating the matter.

“Kira Road Police Station is investigating a suspected poisoning case that occurred at Mezo Noir bar in Kololo on Wednesday night. The victim met her friend, Edward Mugabo, a cashier at the bar, at 2:00 am, and they drank together until 3:30 am when they moved to the manager's office, which has no CCTV cameras,” Onyango said.

He noted that the victim reportedly collapsed in the office, and Mugabo notified his brother, Joseph Kalenzi.

“They rushed the victim to Kampala Hospital, where she was put on life support. Mugabo and his brother Kalenzi have been arrested to assist in the investigation and are being held at Kira Road Police Station. The investigation is ongoing,” Onyango added.

New Vision has learnt that the two additional suspects who were arrested were those who reportedly denied detectives access to the CCTV footage on Thursday.

The surveillance footage at Mezo Noir, which police have since accessed shows Ahumuza, entering the club’s office with a man Mugabo, where they spend about 30 minutes. Moments later, Mugabo is captured emerging from the office in a panic and goes to pick up his colleagues who can be seen rushing to the same office.

Eyewitnesses then say Ahumuza was taken out through the club’s exit door to a hospital.

On Thursday, Mezo Noir in a public notice shared on social media stated that the club would remain closed “due to unforeseen circumstances”.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mezo Noir will be temporarily closed to the public effective immediately, until further notice. We appreciate your understanding and regret any inconvenience this may have caused,” the club stated.

On Friday the club remained cordoned off as detectives combed the scene for pieces of evidence surrounding the incident.

Find further details in The Weekend Vision