Poison confirmed in Omukama Iguru's tea sample

By Martha Kagimba and Simon Masaba

SAMPLES of the tea which was to be served to the Omukama of Bunyoro, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru, have tested positive for rat poison at the government analytical laboratory for toxicology, the Police have said.

“No suspects have been arrested in connection with the plot, but the Police have deployed forensic detectives from the Special Investigations Division (SID) to lift fingerprints of residents in the palace to match with those earlier lifted in the on-going probe,” police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said over the weekend.

He said the Police have tasked the kingdom with installing cameras in the palace, to enhance its security. 

Enanga said the forensics team hopes to capture the suspects using the fingerprints from the empty sachets of rat poison reportedly discovered near the kitchen sink in the palace.

Intruders beat the king’s security detail and accessed his kitchen, shortly after his personal chef, Christopher Byaruhanga, stepped out to carry out other duties.

Byaruhanga reportedly found the empty sachets of rat poison near the kitchen sink upon his return prompting him to notify the king and his security detail which is comprised of local guards and UPDF soldiers. 

The king’s security then reported the matter to Hoima Police Station.

Enanga however said that the Police had received information that there was dispute among some members of the royal family. 

The Police started investigating officials at the kingdom on matters of criminality early this month. 

“We have interrogated the king’s security personnel and the king’s cook in connection with the suspected plot,” Enanga said. 

“Internal misunderstandings have created divisions in the palace” he added.