12 die after sharing bottle of "deadly" waragi in Arua city
At least 12 people have been confirmed dead after consuming a bottle waragi amongst themselves in a local bar in Arua city.
They dropped dead on various days starting on August 18 when they consumed the drink at local bar in Zambia Cell, Mvara Ward.
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The waragi bottle had a sticker "CITY 5", according to police.
"Immediately after drinking it, they became unconscious and started to die while others passed on in hospital," said Josephine Angucia, the West Nile regional police spokesperson.
Angucia identified those who died on spot were identified as Nelson Awuzu , the LC two chairman of Dadawu cell; Isaac Alioni aged 47 years; Dick Edamara; Gordon Tito, a security guard; Titus Awudele and Cosmas Karibu.
The other six, all male, are said to have died later although their identities were not readily available.
A survivor, Andeku Alija, 53, a primary teacher and resident of Zambia Cell Mvara ward was Sunday discharged from Arua Main hospital upon recovery.
Preliminary findings indicated that alcohol is manufactured by a local factory, Luluwiri Fruit Wine located at Kaswa Cell in Ayivu west division.
Police yesterday closed the factory and arrested four workers. It was established that the factory is not certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics.
Police said samples of the alcohol had been taken from both the bar and the factory and will be submitted to the government analytical laboratories for testing.
