Kotido District, Uganda – A heartbreaking tragedy has unfolded in Naputir Village, Loletio Sub County, where at least six children have been confirmed dead and several others hospitalized after allegedly consuming suspected poisonous wild mushrooms.
The victims, most aged between three and eight years, are believed to have unknowingly eaten the toxic mushrooms on Sunday, while their parents were away attending a wedding in Rengen Sub County. With no adult supervision, the children reportedly went into nearby bushes to search for food—a common survival tactic in the hard-hit Karamoja region.
According to Francis Aldon Lotoo, a Village Health Team (VHT) member in Naputir, the children began showing symptoms almost immediately after consuming the mushrooms.
“They started vomiting and experiencing diarrhea not long after eating,” Lotoo said.
The children were rushed to Panyangara Health Centre III, but tragically, the first child died on arrival. Over the next two days, five more children succumbed to similar symptoms, bringing the death toll to six by Tuesday.
The incident has triggered widespread alarm and sorrow across the community. Tonny Achuma, the Kotido District Surveillance Focal Point Person, confirmed that samples of the mushrooms have been dispatched to the National Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya for toxicology testing.
Achuma further revealed that 18 individuals, including both children and adults, have been affected so far. Eight are currently admitted at Kotido General Hospital and Panyangara HC3, while 10 more were rushed for treatment this morning after exhibiting similar symptoms.
One of the most recent cases involves Angelina Achen, a mother who, along with her son, was rushed to Odoki Clinic in Kapadakok Trading Centre after developing nausea and vomiting.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid consuming wild mushrooms, especially during the rainy season when poisonous varieties are more common. Public health campaigns and emergency community sensitization efforts have already begun.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of young lives,” Achuma said. “We appeal to parents and guardians to educate their children on the dangers of consuming unidentified wild plants.”
This latest incident underscores the growing food insecurity and poverty challenges in Karamoja, where families often forage for wild edibles due to lack of adequate meals.
Investigations are ongoing, and the community continues to mourn the young lives lost in this preventable tragedy.
