Five die after drinking waragi
May 09, 2009
FIVE people, including a husband and wife, have died after consuming Simba Waragi, a local liquor packed in Kasese town, over the last two weeks.
By John Thawite
FIVE people, including a husband and wife, have died after consuming Simba Waragi, a local liquor packed in Kasese town, over the last two weeks.
The District Police Commander, Christopher Kasalawo, said the latest deaths were of Ssenyoondo and Abwooli of Saluti B zone in Kasese Town Council. Ssenyoondo and Abwooli died on Thursday night at Alleluyiah and Ganafa’s medical clinics respectively.
“We have recovered half a bottle of Simba waragi in their home during our search,†Kasalawo said.
Others who have died after drinking the liquor since April 27 are Isaac Katungi, Steven Sanyu and a man identified only as Tamale, from Mpigi district.
Kasalawo said the proprietor of Simba Waragi brewery in Kasese had been arrested in connection with the deaths. William Rugumayo was picked from his office late Wednesday evening.
Kasalawo, said they are investigating the possibility that the liquor was contaminated with a toxic chemical. The Police also want to know why Rugumayo paid for the burial of the victims without reporting their deaths or conducting a postmortem.
According to investigations, the first victims died on April 27 at about 4:00am and their burial arrangements were rushed.
On Wednesday, inspectors from the National Bureau of Standards visited Simba Waragi Factory in Kilembe and shut it down.
Kasalawo said: “We have sounded many warnings about these local brews but the public has not taken any heed. We shall now resort to tough measures.â€
In February 2007, over 40 people died in Kampala and nearby districts after drinking toxic waragi, which had been packed in sackets.
The waragi had too much methanol, the ministry of health officials announced.
FIVE people, including a husband and wife, have died after consuming Simba Waragi, a local liquor packed in Kasese town, over the last two weeks.
The District Police Commander, Christopher Kasalawo, said the latest deaths were of Ssenyoondo and Abwooli of Saluti B zone in Kasese Town Council. Ssenyoondo and Abwooli died on Thursday night at Alleluyiah and Ganafa’s medical clinics respectively.
“We have recovered half a bottle of Simba waragi in their home during our search,†Kasalawo said.
Others who have died after drinking the liquor since April 27 are Isaac Katungi, Steven Sanyu and a man identified only as Tamale, from Mpigi district.
Kasalawo said the proprietor of Simba Waragi brewery in Kasese had been arrested in connection with the deaths. William Rugumayo was picked from his office late Wednesday evening.
Kasalawo, said they are investigating the possibility that the liquor was contaminated with a toxic chemical. The Police also want to know why Rugumayo paid for the burial of the victims without reporting their deaths or conducting a postmortem.
According to investigations, the first victims died on April 27 at about 4:00am and their burial arrangements were rushed.
On Wednesday, inspectors from the National Bureau of Standards visited Simba Waragi Factory in Kilembe and shut it down.
Kasalawo said: “We have sounded many warnings about these local brews but the public has not taken any heed. We shall now resort to tough measures.â€
In February 2007, over 40 people died in Kampala and nearby districts after drinking toxic waragi, which had been packed in sackets.
The waragi had too much methanol, the ministry of health officials announced.