Summary:
- Simon Okwakol, the LC1 chairman of Awanyagola village, noted that cases of poisoning have been increasing in the area.
KATAKWI: A 28-year-old man is currently admitted to Katakwi General Hospital after consuming poisoned waragi in Katakwi District.
The victim, Obukui, a resident of Aterai village in Akoboi Sub County, was allegedly poisoned by Saphia Aguti, a resident of Awanyagola village, Akoboi Sub County. The incident took place around 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2024, while they were drinking waragi at the home of Caroline Agwang.
Aguti, the suspect in the poisoning, has denied the allegations. However, during an informal interrogation, after being caned, she reportedly cried and blamed a man named Okedi for her troubles.
Simon Okwakol, the LC1 chairman of Awanyagola village, noted that cases of poisoning have been increasing in the area. In accordance with local customs, the clan and village court sentenced Aguti to eight lashes for excessive alcohol consumption. However, the issue of poisoning will be further investigated by the police.
Obukui is said to be in critical condition, fighting for his life at Katakwi General Hospital. Before being transferred to the hospital, he was initially treated at a local clinic in Angopet village, where attempts were made to induce vomiting to expel the poison.
Simon Okwakol also confirmed that the case has been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department at Katakwi Central Police Station, where the drink is being examined to determine whether it was indeed poisoned, and if so, by whom.
Ocen Quirino, the Vice LC of Aterai village, mentioned that Aguti had recently been accused of possessing poison, shortly after being elected to a local leadership position.
Caroline Agwang, the owner of the waragi distillery, expressed her frustration and disappointment over the incident. She explained that she had been away grinding millet when the poisoning took place, only to return to find the victim suffering from severe stomach pain.
Sam Orena, a local poison healer from Angopet, added that he does not perform tests to determine the exact cause of poisoning. However, he observed that the victim continued to experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, swollen eyes, and stomach pain, prompting his urgent transfer to the hospital.
As of press time, the police have yet to issue an official report. Aguti remains in custody at Katakwi Central Police Station, and authorities are searching for other individuals who were drinking with the victim at the time of the incident.
Meanwhile, Following the rampant drinking from youth in the Teso sub region in Eastern Uganda, the LC3 chairperson of Kapir sub-county in Ngora district Charles Ebiau has warned the youth against excessive drinking of alcohol.
Ebiau’s caution comes following the painful death of Emmanuel Erick Edielu a resident of Ajesa village, Ajesa parish Kapir Sub County who passed on after a bar fight.
Edielu who was in senior three at Crane High School Soroti was laid to rest on Wednesday 11th-Sept-2024.
Ebiau says most of the crimes committed in Kapir are associated with over consumption of alcohol by youth adding that Edielu is now the second person to die in a same family out of a bar fight.
Elias Odeke, a doctor at Kapir Health Centre blamed the death of Edielu to the family’s reluctance in correctly upbringing of their children.
“Let’s standup as parents and help our children in both moral and spiritual being” Odeke said
Naphtali Ogwang a teacher of Jeressar high school and Nicholas Oilo the Director Crane High School Soroti told mourners Edielu has been an active student and participated in various school programs including prefect leadership and academic debates.
Simon Julius Engeku, the Kapir County Member of Parliament aspirant who was the chief mourner, encouraged parents to always seek God’s guidance and protection while grooming children.
However, the Uganda Alcohol Report 2022, an evidence-based tool to support alcohol control policy formulation and implementation in Uganda. Over the years, Uganda has seen a decline in per capita alcohol consumption; from 13.3 litres in 2010 to 9.61 litres in 2018 and 9.41 litres in 2022. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption among those above the age of 15 is 12.5 litres and among drinkers only aged 15+ years is 25.8 litres. This is unacceptable for a country that is pursuing a middle-income status
