Gulu inmate hospitalized after swallowing Shs 50k note
BY Julius Ocungi:
An inmate at Lugore Prison in Gulu District has been hospitalized after swallowing Shs 50,000 note.
For fear that prison wardens would take away his money, 32 year old Sengigwa Sendodie made a dangerous choice to swallow the note he had in his possession.
Sendodie is said to have swallowed the cash on September 24 after wrapping it in a polythene paper.
It is reported that after a week of suffering a terrible stomach ache, he disclosed his little secret to prison authorities and asked for medical treatment.
He was then rushed to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Emergency unit on Monday morning and admitted with stomach complications.
A medical worker who preferred anonymity since she is not authorized to speak for the hospital says the inmate’s condition is now stable.
The Regional Prison Commander Northern Region Allan Okello says the inmate acted in fear since inmates at not allowed possess money in the cells.
He says it is a big offence for inmates to have money within the prison facilities adding that it can aid their escape through bribing wardens.
This is not the first incident of an inmate swallowing unacceptable items that are not allowed within prison facilities at Lugore prison.
In February last year, 24 year old Rogers Ngabirano, who was serving a 14 year jail term for defilement at Lugore Prison was found dead in the cell by a prison warden who were conducting head counts.
Police reported that the deceased died after choking on marijuana stuffed in a pill which he had swallowed in an attempt to hide the illicit drugs from Prison authorities.
