From Leo Odera Omolo

By Dismus Buregyeya

THE killer waragi which claimed about 80 lives in Kabale district last month has spread to Sembabule, killing six more people.

Another 10 people yesterday remained admitted at various health centres in Ssembabule and Masaka districts. It is suspected that the gin was adulterated.

One of the victims, David Kabwigi, receiving treatment at BAMU Hospital

Similar deaths, which were first reported in Kampala surburbs early this year, later surfaced in Gulu, Kasese, Kabale and Kabarole.

Kabale was worst hit, where scores died and over 20 got blinded after consuming the contaminated gin. District authorities have since banned the sale of the product.

The waragi samples in the affected areas contain excess methanol.
Those confirmed dead over the weekend in Sembabule are John Serunjongi, David Kalanda, Patrick Mugagga, Paul Kasagga, Bisirikirwa Nabukenya and Maama Sitenda.

Among those admitted at BAMU Hospital in Mateete Trading Centre, are David Kabwigi and Frank Tusasirwe. The identities of several others were not immediately established.

The Police have since arrested a trader, identified as Geoffrey Begumanya, linked to the sale of the gin. The hospital boss, Dr Elly Muhumuza, said he started receiving patients on Friday.

One of the victims, Tusasirwe, said the waragi came from Kasese district.
The district Police commander, Didi Kigenyi, confirmed the arrest of Begumanya after receiving reports that he was aware of the source of killer waragi.

Angry residents in Lwebitakuli trading centre told The New Vision that the Police impounded about 10 jerrycans of waragi from the depots in the area but later returned them to their owners.

The manufacture and sale of sachet waragi was banned last September by the health ministry, after it killed people in different parts of the country. About 114 people have died after consuming the poisonous gin since September last year.

Ends