KEY POINTS
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Four girls aged between nine and 11 have died in a suspected poisoning incident at a Kampala school.
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Police are investigating oranges eaten by eight pupils, five of whom reportedly began vomiting.
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The school’s head teacher has been arrested as post-mortem examinations are conducted to establish the cause of death.
Ugandan police have launched an investigation into the deaths of four schoolgirls following a suspected poisoning incident at a primary school in Kampala, with oranges eaten by the pupils being examined as a possible source of contamination.
The girls, aged between nine and 11, died on Tuesday after reportedly developing symptoms shortly after eating oranges shared by another pupil at Ta’aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre.
Three of the children died at home, while the fourth died in hospital despite receiving emergency medical treatment.
Oranges Under Investigation
According to the school, eight pupils ate oranges brought by a fellow student. Five of them subsequently began vomiting, including the four girls who later died.
Police are investigating whether the oranges were contaminated and have indicated that detectives will visit the village from which the fruit originated. The investigation is expected to establish how the pupils became ill and whether the food was responsible for their deaths.
Post-mortem examinations are also being conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities have not yet confirmed that poisoning was responsible for the incident.
The head teacher of Ta’aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre has been arrested to assist police with their investigations.
The school premises have been cordoned off as a crime scene while investigators work to establish what happened.
The incident has also raised questions about the school’s handling of the emergency. Videos shared by Ugandan media showed grieving parents recounting their children’s final moments, with some accusing the school of failing to provide clear and timely information after the pupils became ill.
Police have expressed condolences to the affected families and community, adding that further details would be released as the investigation progresses.
The deaths have intensified concerns about health and safety conditions in Ugandan schools, particularly the handling of food provided to pupils.
Previous incidents involving suspected contaminated food and exposure to harmful substances have resulted in children being hospitalised with symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting and breathing difficulties.
These cases have prompted calls for stronger monitoring of school feeding programmes, improved hygiene practices and better protection for children in learning institutions.
Authorities are now expected to establish whether the oranges were responsible for the latest deaths and determine if any negligence or safety violations contributed to the tragedy.
