Seven brands of local gin suspected to have led to the death of 25 people have been banned. The Uganda bureau of standards warned that several spirits on the market had not been certified and therefore posed a huge risk to consumers.

The banned illegal liquors as Empire Waragi, African Gin, Princes Vodka, Planet Vodka and Rwenzori Gin. Another brand, 3R Zed, is also being investigated.

Dr. Joseph Senzoga, the disease surveillance response coordinator observed that, “They may have taken drinks containing methyl alcohol, a deadly poison,” he says. Methyl alcohol is a poisonous chemical found in paint remover.

Before death, the individual develops the following symptoms: loss of vision, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness, body weakness and coma.

First aid for acute alcohol poisoning

Dr. Simon Ekete of Soroti Imaging Medic Laboratory recommends the following:

• First step is to give first aid and call for help.
• Stay with the person and keep him sitting up. Make sure he is lying on the side and the head turned to one side.

• Watch out for signs of choking.
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink to sober them up.
• Do not give them water to drink or put them in cold water because it lowers the body temperature and may cause death.
• Get a doctor

With the going getting tough and a desperate need to have an income, many people are trying their hand at different products, many of which do not meet health standards. Many of these are produced from money and cheap. If strong penalties are not levied against the offenders, this trend of deaths is bound to continue.