Tragic Funeral Turns Deadly: 3 Dead, 100 Hospitalized After Suspected Food Poisoning in Jinja

In a tragic turn of events, three individuals have lost their lives while a staggering 100 others have been hospitalized after consuming what is suspected to be poisoned food at a funeral in Bukasami village, Jinja district, eastern Uganda.

The deceased victims have been identified as 20-year-old Faisal Magumba, four-year-old Suleiman Byanguwa, and six-year-old Shamim Nangobi. The unsettling incident occurred at the funeral of the late Ahamad Magumba, the county khadhi of Buyengo, on February 13.

Reports indicate that mourners were served food in groups during the funeral, dispelling initial suspicions of poisoning. However, a significant number of attendees began experiencing stomach aches, leading approximately 50 mourners to seek medical assistance at a private clinic in Buyengo.

The situation took a dire turn on Wednesday night when over 103 individuals reported symptoms including dizziness, stomach aches, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Salima Nabirye, whose condition has stabilized, highlighted that sharing a meal with the bereaved family is a traditional practice aimed at honoring the deceased, making the alleged poisoning incident all the more distressing.

Ali Kilume, a village health team member, lamented the lack of necessary medical supplies at the district’s only government hospital, exacerbating the condition of the patients.

Samuel Akalyamawa, an area councillor, revealed that efforts are underway to mobilize and transport affected individuals to various health facilities across the Busoga sub-region, utilizing megaphones and mobile public address systems.

In response to the crisis, Moses Batwala, the Jinja district LC V chairperson, has directed all available ambulances and local government vehicles to facilitate the transportation of affected individuals. Additionally, the police have been urged to launch an investigation into the matter to ensure justice for the deceased and affected families.

Richard Gulume, the Jinja resident district commissioner, confirmed that health and police teams have been dispatched to collect samples from the affected persons to aid in investigations and shed light on the distressing incident.