MADI OKOLLO/ARUA – Police in West Nile Region are investigating the circumstances under which a “deadly local gin”, that is alleged to have caused the death of 12 people (6 people from Zambia cell, Mvara road in Arua city and 6 others from Geria village, Yachi Parish, Ogoko sub county in Madi Okollo district).
Also, 20 other survivors are being treated for suspected methanol poisoning, after they developed symptoms of poisoning such as stomach ache, dizziness and vomiting after drinking the deadly G5 local gin.
Police identified the deceased from Zambia cell, in Arua city as
Amuzu Nelson, a 50 year old male peasant of Dadawu cell, Dadawu ward, Ayivu East, Arua city, who died on the 18.08.2022 at around 11:54pm.
Alioni Isaac, a 47 year old, male peasant of Iniowa cell, Ombokoro ward, Ayivu East division, Arua City, who died on the night of 18.08.2022.
Edamara Dick, a 34 year old, male peasant of Okuambo cell, Ombokoro ward, Ayivu East division, Arua city, who died on the 19.08.2022.
Tito Gordon, a 51 year old, male Askari of Emmanuel Cathedral Church and resident of Central cell, Mvara ward, central division, Arua city, who died on the 20.08.2022 at around 1020am.
Titus Awudele, a 51 year old male peasant of Dawawu cell, Ayivu East Division, Arua city, who died on the 20.08.2022 at about 7.45pm from Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
Karibu Cosmas alias Toko, a 53 year old, male peasant of Sudan zone cell, Mvara ward, central division, Arua city, who died on the 21.08.2022 at around 11:30am.
The other deceased persons who died as a result of drinking the same deadly gin in Geria village, Yachi parish, Ogoko sub county in Madi Okollo district include;
Ofuti Charles
Augutoko Gilbert
Anguzu Michael
Bolo Eliaza John
Toko Joel, and;
Lemiya Valentino
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson says out of the 20 survivors, two have so far been discharged, including; Andeku.O.Alija a 53 year old, primary teacher of Oduloba and resident of Zambia cell Mvara ward, who was discharged from Arua Regional Referral Hospital on the 21.08.2022 and Yoda Adriko, both from Arua City.
“The District Security Committee has immediately banned the sale of the deadly G5 local gin in West Nile and closed the factory, for further investigation. To make matters worse, the local distillery was not yet fully registered by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), which implies that Luluwiri fruit wine factory had not yet obtained clearance for production, making their sale of City 5 local gin illegal,” said Enanga.
He noted that 4 suspects have been arrested to help with investigations.
These include;
Norman Godfrey, a 32 year old dealer, at Zambia cell, Mvara ward, central division in Arua city. He was released on bond to go for treatment.
Ezikuru Rose, a 40 year old, business dealer, arrested from Luluwiri wine factory, resident of Pokea cell, Ayivu West division.
Andule Gordon, a 54 year business dealer, arrested from Luluwiri fruit wine factory and resident of Pasua cell, Pokea ward, Ayivu west division.
Chandribo Philem, a 28 year old, factory worker and resident of Kasua cell, Pokea ward Ayivu west division.
Enanga says further efforts are in place to trace and arrest the owner of the local distillery and other staff, who could face multiple charges of homicide and physical injuries, after clearly establishing the levels of the deadly poisonous substance, used in the fermentation of the local gin.
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