Four pupils die in suspected poisoning at Ugandan school

Four girls aged nine to eleven died on Tuesday in Kampala, suspected to be from poisoning at Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre. Three of the children died at home, while the fourth succumbed while receiving emergency treatment at a hospital. The head teacher has been arrested to assist investigators. The school reported that eight pupils had eaten oranges shared by a fellow pupil.

Five pupils, including the four who later died, began vomiting; the fifth child is still in hospital. Post‑mortem examinations are underway to establish the precise cause of death. A police spokesperson told local media that “detectives would visit the village where the oranges the pupils ate came from,” and the centre has been cordoned off as a crime scene.

Ugandan media posted videos of grieving parents describing their children's final moments, some accusing the school of failing to provide clear and timely information. Police have offered condolences to the bereaved families and said further details will be released in due course. The tragedy comes as concerns grow over health and safety standards in Ugandan schools. Previous incidents of suspected contaminated food have led to pupils being hospitalised with stomach pain, vomiting and breathing difficulties, prompting calls for stricter monitoring of school feeding schemes and improved hygiene.