Two Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) officers in Kapelebyong district are hospitalized at Kapelebyong health center after allegedly suffering from suspected food poisoning.
Patrick Ebenu and Beatrice Acan, both attached to Kobulin 1 detach, Kapelebyong ASTU zone, bought sim sim paste from a nearby center on Sunday evening and mixed it with beans they picked from the central cooking point.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional police spokesperson, says that the two officers were rushed to Kapelebyong health center when they developed stomach complications after completing their meals. Longole noted that the victims are steadily responding to medication after experiencing severe vomiting.
He revealed that the food sample consumed by the two officers would be subjected to analysis to rule out possible poisoning and guide their next course of action. Longole noted that no suspect has been arrested.
“This serves as a warning to our security personnel – not everyone is happy with what we are doing to pacify peace in Karamoja and its neighboring districts, so you have to be very vigilant and avoid buying food items from untrusted sources,” Longole warned.
In July 2023, police in Mbale reported the death of one officer and the hospitalization of several others after consuming suspected poisoned food at Random restaurant in Busiu, Mbale city.
