A sad incident has been reported in Mityana Municipality where a 48-year-old woman, Nakayiza Ruth, lost her life after reportedly suffocating from carbon monoxide fumes produced by a charcoal stove inside her home.
According to a statement released by the police under the Wamala Region Police, the deceased, a peasant resident of Mityana Central Cell, was last seen on 14th June 2026 at her small business before she returned home and went to bed as usual.
Concern arose on the morning of 17th June 2026 when neighbours began noticing a strong foul smell coming from her locked house. Flies were also seen around the door, raising suspicion that something was wrong. Alarmed residents informed her relatives, who later reported the matter to authorities through the LC1 leadership of Mityana Central Cell.
A case was then registered at Namukozi Police, prompting a response from detectives attached to the homicide department in Mityana. Officers, led by the District Police Commander, visited the scene and, with help from local residents, forced entry into the locked house.
Inside, they found the body of the deceased in a partially lying position. Police confirmed that she had died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a charcoal stove she had been using inside a small, poorly ventilated room.
Authorities explained that the dangerous practice of using charcoal stoves in enclosed spaces can easily lead to suffocation, especially when used overnight or in rooms without proper airflow. They used the incident to strongly warn the public against such practices, urging households to prioritize ventilation and safety when cooking indoors.
The regional police spokesperson, SSP L. Kigozi, emphasized that this was a preventable death and called on residents across the region to avoid using charcoal stoves inside sleeping areas. He said such incidents are becoming a recurring risk in many communities where people rely on charcoal for cooking but lack proper safety precautions.
The police have extended condolences to the family of the deceased and urged the public to take the warning seriously in order to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
