Illegal brew kills 22 in Uganda
2007-02-21 17:05
At least 22 people have died and nine more have been admitted to hospital after drinking illegal, homemade gin, said a health official on Wednesday.
A one-litre bottle of the illicit gin sells for $0.40 and is popular among poor Ugandans because it is cheap and extremely strong. The ingredients are often unknown.
"They all died from poisoning," said Dr Elly Tumushabe, director of health services in Komo Island in lake Victoria, about 150km east of the capital, Kampala. "They all drank a local brew brought to the island by a trader."
It is possible the death toll could rise, he said.
The gin was taken to the island on Friday and six people who drank it died on Saturday, said authorities. Seven died on Sunday, five on Monday, three on Tuesday and at least one Wednesday.
Poverty is widespread in Uganda. Almost half its 22 million people live on less than a $1 a day.
Two of the gin trader's colleagues have been arrested. Police accuse them of helping the trader spike the gin of 20 jerry cans, locally known as Nguli, with chemicals before he brought them to Komo Island, which has a population of 22 000.
"We are hunting for him and we are certain we will get him soon," said Police Commander James Awulenyi, adding that the trader ran the business for more than two years.
Police say he will be charged with murder if caught.
- SAPA