Boiling Beans Suffocate Two Chapatti Sellers to Death in Rented Room
By Skika Reporter
SIRONKO – Panic gripped residents of Budadiri Town Council in Sironko District on Tuesday, 24th February 2026, after two chapatti vendors were found dead inside their rented room.
The deceased, identified as Brian Gikanyi and Wanambura Ginatio, were discovered unresponsive in their house located in Bugiwumi B Cell. Neighbours reportedly became suspicious after the duo failed to open their business in the morning and later broke into the room, where they found their bodies.
According to Francis Manyaku, the LC3 Chairperson of Budadiri Town Council, it was concerned neighbours who alerted local authorities about the incident.
He said the two had been operating a chapatti and beans (commonly known as Kikomando) business within the town council and were well known to the community.
The Sironko District Police Commander, Frank Muzoora, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate. He explained that the two vendors are believed to have returned to their rented room on Monday evening after work and lit a charcoal stove to cook beans.
Preliminary findings indicate that the room had no windows and poor ventilation. By the time their bodies were discovered the following day, the beans had reportedly finished cooking on the charcoal stove. Police observed no visible injuries or signs of a struggle, raising suspicion that the pair may have died of suffocation due to smoke inhalation.
Authorities have registered a case of sudden death. The bodies were transported to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations continue to establish the exact cause of death.
Allan Wanambwa, the Sironko Assistant Resident District Commissioner, cautioned residents against using charcoal stoves in enclosed spaces, urging the public to ensure proper ventilation to prevent similar tragedies.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
