One person has been confirmed dead, and another is in critical condition after participating in a drinking challenge in the Kirinda zone of Busabala, Makindye Division. Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, has identified the deceased only as Kigundu, while his colleague Nsereko is currently admitted to Kiruddu Hospital in critical condition.
Preliminary findings by the police show that the duo, known for their heavy drinking, consumed jugs of a mixture of coffee spirit Waragi and another local brew known as Tolero, competing to see who could consume the most alcohol at Julie’s bar over the weekend. According to statements recorded by Kibuye Police from witnesses, all seemed well until the two consumed four jugs.
They subsequently collapsed and began to release foam from their mouths and noses, prompting residents to contact Kibuye police, who rushed them to Kiruddu Hospital. Kigundu died upon arrival. Owoyesigyire explains that investigations are ongoing to ascertain whether the alcohol was laced with poison or if it was a result of negligence on the part of the victims.
“Our officers have started investigations, that the mixture was laced with poison. But all we know is that this could have happened as a result of negligence from these victims,” he said Police have since cautioned the general public to refrain from negligent behavior. “We call upon Ugandans to be more careful on some of these locally distilled alcohol drinks, some are too dangerous to the health of people,” Owoyesigyire.
The continued deaths attributed to excessive alcohol consumption led Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi to introduce the Alcohol Drinks Bill 2023, which aims to regulate the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the country. The Bill stipulates that alcohol should only be sold between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM on weekends and not after midnight.
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