News
Woman suffocates to death in Mityana
According to Wamala Region Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi, neighbours became concerned after noticing a foul smell and swarms of flies coming from the woman's locked house on the morning of June 17.
Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi. (File photo)
By: Geofrey Asiimwe, Journalist @New Vision
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A 48-year-old woman has been found dead in her house in Mityana Municipality in what police have described as a case of carbon monoxide suffocation caused by a charcoal stove used inside a poorly ventilated room.
The deceased, identified as Ruth Nakayiza, a peasant and resident of Mityana Central Cell, was last seen by her neighbours on June 14, 2026, when she closed her business in
the municipality and returned home.
According to the Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi, concern arose among neighbours on the morning of June 17 after they noticed a foul smell coming from her house and flies buzzing around the locked door.
"Neighbours became suspicious after they had not seen Nakayiza for several days and started noticing a foul smell coming from her house. They informed her relatives about their concerns. A report was subsequently made to Namukozi Police Station by the LC1 chairperson of Mityana Central Cell," Kigozi said.
Police officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Homicide Department from Mityana Police Station visited the scene, and with the assistance of local residents, they forced the door to Nakayiza's house open.
"Upon breaking into the house, the team found the decomposing body of the deceased," Kigozi stated.
Kigozi said preliminary investigations indicate that Nakayiza died from carbon monoxide suffocation caused by a charcoal stove she had been using inside her room.
Police used the incident to warn members of the public against cooking with charcoal stoves inside enclosed living spaces, particularly during the night.
"We caution members of the public to desist from the habit of cooking on charcoal stoves inside their houses, especially at night when they are going to bed, because of the dangers associated with them," Kigozi warned.
Police officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Homicide Department from Mityana Police Station visited the scene, and with the assistance of local residents, they forced the door to Nakayiza's house open.
"Upon breaking into the house, the team found the decomposing body of the deceased," Kigozi stated.
Kigozi said preliminary investigations indicate that Nakayiza died from carbon monoxide suffocation caused by a charcoal stove she had been using inside her room.
Police used the incident to warn members of the public against cooking with charcoal stoves inside enclosed living spaces, particularly during the night.
"We caution members of the public to desist from the habit of cooking on charcoal stoves inside their houses, especially at night when they are going to bed, because of the dangers associated with them," Kigozi warned.