By Weswa Ronnie
BUDAKA
Police in Budaka district has arrested three persons over suspected murder by food poisoning of a 49-year-old peasant from Bumbirwe village in Kamonkoli sub-county.
The suspected murder case occurred on July 5, 2025, at around 10:30 p.m where the victim, Florence Baluka, died after consuming local brew and roasted soya beans at a local bar.
According to Wilfred Kyepasa, the Bukedi North region police spokesperson, Baluka left home to sell roasted soya beans at Stella’s bar in the same village. She was joined by a group of friends, and they started drinking local brew (waragi) until around 9:00 p.m. After becoming unsteady, Florence was supported by one Namulalaka to her home, where she began vomiting and eventually died.
He says the police responded promptly, and a case file was opened (Kamonkoli CRB 057/2025). The scene of the crime was examined, and statements were obtained from witnesses.
The body was conveyed to Mbale hospital for a postmortem examination, and samples of the local brew and empty bottles were collected for further analysis.
Kyepasa says three people have been arrested to assist with the investigation, and inquiries are ongoing. The police are working to determine the cause of death and whether foul play was involved.
