One dead, 41 hospitalised over suspected food poisoning in Singida

One person has died and 41 others have been hospitalised following suspected food poisoning in Singida Region after they reportedly consumed a traditional meal and a locally prepared drink while working at a private residence. The deceased has been identified as Ridhiwan Ayoub Omari, 13, who died while receiving treatment at Moyo wa Yesu Dispensary in Singida Municipality. According to a police statement, the incident occurred on October 17, 2026, at around 2pm in Unyambwa Ward, where the victims had been invited to perform work at a private home. They were reportedly served makande, a traditional dish made from maize and beans, and togwa, a locally prepared fermented drink, as payment for their work. Singida Regional Police Commander Matride Kuyeko said the victims began experiencing stomach pains and weakness the following morning. “On October 18, 2026, at around 11am, the deceased and 41 other people began experiencing stomach pains and weakness,” she said. Two children were initially taken to Moyo wa Yesu Dispensary in Mangumitongo, while the other 40 victims were referred to Singida Municipal Hospital for further treatment. Police said the condition of those receiving treatment was improving. Two people are being held for questioning as investigators seek to establish the cause of the suspected poisoning and the circumstances under which the food and drink were prepared and consumed. The incident has drawn attention to communal labour arrangements practised in parts of Tanzania, particularly in the central regions, where households mobilise neighbours to assist with agricultural and domestic activities in exchange for food and drinks. Such arrangements are common during cultivation, harvesting, millet threshing, roofing traditional houses and constructing livestock enclosures, with meals and beverages often forming part of the compensation. However, the involvement of children among those affected raises questions about the nature of the work they were invited to perform and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police had not identified the suspected contaminant or established whether the food or drink caused the illnesses. Medical findings and further investigations will be needed to determine the cause of the incident and whether any criminal responsibility arises.