Kamonyi: Three men and a young child die after consuming suspected contaminated alcohol
A tragic incident has been reported in Kamonyi District, Rukoma Sector, Gisheshe Cell, Gahungeri Village, where three men and a three-year-old child died after consuming alcohol suspected to be contaminated.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred over a period of two days. The victims reportedly shared locally made alcohol, which was brewed by one of the deceased. The alcohol was later given to a young child who was visiting his grandmother.
The first victim,Eric Kagaba , who is said to have brewed the alcohol, died on December 29, 2025, at around midday (12:00 p.m.). A second man who had consumed the same alcohol died later that evening at around 5:00 p.m. The third adult victim passed away on the morning of Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The fourth victim, a three-year-old child identified as Aimé Bruno Cyizere, died at around 1:00 a.m. on Monday night.
The Executive Secretary of Rukoma Sector, Mandera Innocent, confirmed the deaths and stated that Kagaba Eric was operating an unregistered bar suspected of selling substandard alcohol. He added that local authorities had been searching for Kagaba to question him about the alcohol before his death.
“We received information about the deaths on Tuesday morning and immediately went to the scene,” said Mandera.
He further noted that, so far, the identities of the other deceased individuals had not been fully established, apart from Kagaba Eric. However, reports indicate that the victims include Hagenimana Terance, Ishimwe Cedrick (22 years old), and the child Cyizere Aimé Bruno.
Residents who spoke to the newspaper UMUSEKE believe the alcohol may have been deliberately or accidentally contaminated, as it also caused the death of the person who brewed it. They added that after Eric Kagaba’s death, his family initially kept the matter quiet out of fear of possible legal consequences.
It was also confirmed that another individual who had tasted the same alcohol was rushed to Remera -Rukoma Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities are currently searching for anyone else who may have consumed the alcohol.
Before their deaths, the victims reportedly suffered severe stomach pain and sought traditional remedies, which failed to save their lives. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the deaths and to prevent further casualties.
