Fatal Food Poisoning: 3 Dead, 46 Hospitalized After Eating Food At A Burial Ceremony in Jinja

A tragic incident unfolded in Bukasami village, Buyengo town council, Jinja District, during the burial ceremony of Sheik Ahamad Magumba, the local County Khadi, resulting in the confirmed deaths of at least three people, with 46 others hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning.

Among the victims, two children and one adult were identified among the deceased, while 49 survivors exhibited symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomachaches, prompting their admission to Buwenge General Hospital.

Dr. Aggrey Bameka, the Medical Superintendent at Buwenge General Hospital, confirmed the fatalities and disclosed that the deceased included Suleiman Byanguwa (4 years old), Shamim Nangobi (6 years old), and Faisal Magumba (20 years old). He further noted that nine patients had been discharged, with the remaining individuals showing signs of improvement.“

We got 49 people and there were three deaths , two children and one adult .We referred five people to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital who were critically ill and we remained with others at the facility,’’ he said.

The patients displayed similar symptoms, indicating a common source of contamination believed to be the meal shared during the burial ceremony. Dr. Bameka highlighted the challenges faced by the hospital, citing insufficient medical supplies to accommodate the influx of patients, some of whom required urgent care.

With blood samples sent to Kampala for analysis, investigations are underway to determine the precise cause of the fatalities. Mr. Samuel Akalyamawa, an area councilor, revealed that 75 suspected cases were transported to Buwenge General Hospital and Jinja Referral Hospital

.Ms. Jackline Nakilada, a patient, recounted experiencing symptoms shortly after consuming rice at the burial, underscoring the severity of the situation.

“I ate rice with my other family members who had attended the burial but after some minutes, I started feeling stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. I was taken to a clinic but the condition was not improving until when I was brought here,’’ she said.

As ambulances continued to transport patients from various villages within Buwenge Sub County, Kiira Region Police initiated an investigation into the suspected food poisoning incident in Buyengo town Council.