One dead, three in critical condition after suspected food poisoning

Mrs Namukose Babita admitted to Iganga hospital after she ate food allegedly laced with poison. Photo by Yazid Yolisigira

What you need to know:

  • Sandra Abenabyo, 9, Judith Mutesi, 12 and their mother were referred to Iganga hospital where they fighting for their lives.

  • By press time the body had been taken to Iganga hospital mortuary pending investigations.

Mayuge

One person has died in Mayuge District and three other family members rushed to Iganga hospital in critical condition after eating food suspected to have been laced with poison.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Bukagabo village in Malongo Sub County where Namukose Babita and her children started vomiting and diarrheating shortly after having supper.

Mrs Namukose, 39, said she had supper with the three children at about 8.00pm and about 1.00am as they were resting, they started feeling stomach-aches.

“We ate potatoes and groundnuts stew mixed with vegetables before going to rest. At about 1.00am, I started feeling stomach-aches followed by vomiting and diarrheating,” she recounts.

One of the victims, Sandra Abenabyo, 9, getting treatment in Iganga hospital. Photo by Yazid Yolisigira

She said the children started experiencing the same and were rushed to Malongo Health Centre III.

Namukose is said to have prepared the food very early and left it in the kitchen as she went to visit some friends at the same village.

The police publicist for Busoga East region James Mubi said Jacklyn Mutesi, 7, died shortly after being admitted to the health centre.

The others; Sandra Abenabyo, 9, Judith Mutesi, 12 and their mother were referred to Iganga hospital where they fighting for their lives.

He said preliminary investigations show that the family ate poisoned food.

“Investigations have started and we are yet to take some samples to the government analytical laboratory in Wandegeya to come up with conclusive report,” Mr Mubi told reporters.

By press time the body had been taken to Iganga hospital mortuary pending investigations.