Ugandan police investigate deaths of four pupils in suspected school poisoning

What the report says

Ugandan police are investigating the deaths of four primary school pupils in Kampala in a case they suspect may involve poisoning. BBC Africa reports that the girls, aged nine to 11, died on Tuesday, with three dying at home and one later succumbing in hospital after emergency treatment. The school involved is Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre.

According to the school, eight pupils ate oranges that had been shared by another child, after which five began vomiting. Four of those pupils died, while a fifth remains in hospital. Police have arrested the head teacher to assist with inquiries, and post-mortem examinations are under way to establish the exact cause of death. The centre has been cordoned off as investigators treat it as a crime scene.

Local media quoted police as saying detectives would also visit the village from which the oranges came. The article says grieving parents have described the children’s final moments and some have criticised the school for not giving clear information quickly enough.

The deaths come amid wider concern in Uganda about health and safety in schools. BBC Africa notes that previous suspected cases involving contaminated food or harmful substances have left pupils ill, adding to calls for better monitoring of school feeding, hygiene and child safety standards.