Four members of a single family in Kayunga district have succumbed to a puzzling illness. The deceased individuals were residents of Kayonjo village in Busaana Town council.
According to Mr. Dominic Okumu, the village chairman of Kayonjo, two family members passed away on July 5, while the other two succumbed on July 6.
Dr. Ahmed Matovu, the Health Officer of Kayunga District, expressed concern over the situation and confirmed that samples had been collected from the bodies for testing. These samples were sent to Entebbe for analysis in order to determine the cause of death for the four individuals.
The deceased have been identified as Sharifah Nyangoma (34) and Latifah Kitimbo (16), who were the first to die. Umar Kitimbo (50), the father of the deceased, and Charles Waswa (35), a nephew to Kitimbo, passed away on July 6. Umar Kitimbo worked as a bodaboda rider in Kayunga Town.
According to Janepher Naigaga, Umar Kitimbo’s widow, the late Nyangoma and Latifah Kitimbo, who were staying in Entebbe, experienced symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting on July 4. They were taken to Entebbe hospital but unfortunately did not survive.
“The bodies were buried on Wednesday, but on Thursday evening, Waswa, who had come to attend the funeral, started experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. They received medication, but at around 5 am on Friday, Waswa passed away, followed by her husband. Both deaths occurred at home,” Ms. Naigaga shared.
Dr. Matovu permitted the relatives to proceed with the burials, but he cautioned against large gatherings and the performance of burial rituals on the bodies.
“We expect to receive the results of the samples by Tuesday,” Dr. Matovu stated.
Rajab Mukwaya, the Deputy Mayor of Busaana Town council, expressed the concerns of the residents and urged authorities to promptly investigate the cause of these mysterious deaths.
Four other children from the household were admitted in critical condition to Kayunga regional referral hospital.
While some residents attributed the deaths to witchcraft, Dr. Matovu dismissed such claims and advised the community to await the test results, expected on Tuesday.
