Kyotera district takes action after Waragi kills 10 including children

Among the deceased are two children, according to the district health officials.

Police on Thursday, August 17 carried out operations in different drinking joints in the area, and confiscated 1000 litres of waragi.

Up to 20 alcohol shops were also closed according to Masaka Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Twaha Kasirye.

“We have identified the suppliers of the killer liquor and confiscated all ingredients and accessories used in making the local brew,” said the police mouthpiece.

Some of the problematic liquor brands were named as 'Eddekende waragi' and 'Ddembelyo waragi' which were being packaged in plastic bottles.

Dr Edward Muwanga, the Kyotera District Health Officer told the press that the deadly liquor had killed the residents in Kabira sub-county in a space of two and half months.

After receiving the reports, Muwanga says a response team comprising epidemiologists, health educators and field coordinators was commissioned and sent to Kabira Sub County. 

The team visited the affected households and found one person still alive, but receiving care from a shrine.

“Before dying, all victims presented symptoms of body weakness, vomiting, profuse sweating, abdominal pain, swelling in the areas around the limbs, short breath, and fever,” said the DHO

“Blood samples and urine were taken from the bodies of the deceased for toxicology testing at Makerere Histopathology Laboratory and the liquor allegedly consumed by the victims was also taken to Uganda Virus Research Institute for analysis. Preliminary results have revealed that those 10 people died of alcohol poisoning," he said.