Three suspects have been remanded in connection with the death of more than 12 people in Arua after taking City 5, a local pineapple-flavoured potent gin.
The suspects are Rose Inzikuru, 46, Gideon Adule, 47, residents of Kasua cell, Pokea ward, Ayivu West division in Arua City and Norman Godfrey, 32, who owns a kiosk in Zambia cell in Mvara ward Arua Central Division.
The suspects appeared on Tuesday before the acting Arua Senior Grade One Magistrate, Edgar Tukahaabwe following their arrest from the City 5 alcohol plant in Kasua cell, Pokea ward in Arua Ayivu City West division, and in Mvara Arua central division last week.
Tukahaabwe charged the suspects with nine counts of manslaughter, manufacturing, selling, distribution, and possession of products not conforming to the standard specification under the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Act.
Court heard that between 19th and 25th August 2022 in Arua city, Inzikuru, Adule and Norman unknowingly caused the death of Gordon Tire, 51, Fred Adriko, Isaac Alioni, 46, Cosmas Karibu, 53, Nelson Awuzu, 50, and others.
Tukahaabwe didn’t allow the suspects to plead to the charges, saying it lacks jurisdiction to try the offenses against the accused persons. He remanded them to prison until 6th September 2022, when they will appear before Arua Chief Magistrate’s Court to plead to the charges.
Ivan Abio, an advocate from Ms. Ederu & Gama Advocates & Solicitors, Arua, who represented the accused persons, told URN outside the court premises that they were ready to procedure with the case.
Meanwhile, the court released Philliam Cadribo, 28, who was arrested with the trio on the advice of the Arua Resident State Attorney after finding out that he had no connection with the deaths.
The West Nile region police spokesperson, Josephine Angucia, says that Cadribo was arrested while playing music at the place of manufacturing City5 in Kasua Cell, Pokea Ward Ayivu division, Arua city.
