Two children succumb to suspected food poisoning

Nebbi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nebbi police are investigating the death of two children from the same family after eating fish suspected to be laced with poison. Three other family members including the minors’ father, Godfrey Ocakuwum are battling for their lives.

The affected are residents of Jupuyik village in Jupangira sub-county. The two minors whose identities have not been established died at around 4:00pm on Christmas at Goli health centre IV where they were rushed for treatment with stomach complications.

Emmanuel Otwi, the area LC1 chairperson explains that the deceased and three others developed stomach pain after eating fish that was sent by their grandmother through an unidentified person from Panyimur landing site in Pakwach district.

Sunday Ogenmungu, the LC3 chairperson of Jupangira sub-county says the deceased minors are pupils of Goli Mixed Primary school and Bethel Children’s Ministry in Nebbi district. He has urged the relatives of the deceased to remain calm as police are already investigating the matter.

Nebbi Resident District Commissioner, Robert Abak has described the incident as unfortunate. “It’s very unfortunate that this has happened. Even the condition of the mother to the deceased is not good,” he noted.

Police took the minor’s bodies to Nebbi General Hospital for postmortem. In September this year, at least 10 people died and several others were hospitalized after eating suspected poisonous cassava in Pakwach district.

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