Ugandan police investigate deaths of four pupils in suspected school poisoning

BySwaibu Ibrahim BBC Africa, Reporting fromKampala.

Key points

• The head teacher at the school, Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre, has been arrested to assist with investigations.
• The four girls, aged between nine and 11 years, died on Tuesday.
• Ugandan police are investigating the deaths of four pupils at a school in the capital Kampala which they suspect may be the result of poisoning.
• The tragedy comes at a time when reservations are mounting over health and safety conditions in schools throughout Uganda.
• This army chief threatened to castrate opposition leader and asserted descent from Jesus.

Notably, the four girls, aged between nine and 11 years, died on Tuesday. Three of the pupils died at home while the fourth passed away while receiving emergency treatment at a hospital.

Meanwhile, the head teacher at the school, Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre, has been arrested to assist with investigations.

According to the school, eight pupils had eaten oranges shared by a fellow pupil.

Five pupils, including the four who afterwards died, kicked off vomiting. The fifth is still in hospital.

Post-mortem examinations are being carried out to determine the exact cause of death.

In practice, a police spokesperson was quoted by local media as saying that detectives would visit the village where the oranges the pupils ate came from. The centre has been cordoned off as a crime scene.

Ugandan media shared videos of grieving parents describing their children's final moments, with some accusing the school of failing to provide clear and timely information.

Notably, the police have offered condolences to the bereaved families and affected community and say more information will be provided in due course.

For context, the tragedy comes at a time when reservations are mounting over health and safety conditions in schools throughout Uganda.

Previous cases involving suspected contaminated food and exposure to harmful substances have left pupils hospitalised with symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting and breathing difficulties.

Meanwhile, the incidents have intensified calls for authorities to strengthen monitoring of school feeding schemes, improve hygiene standards and ensure safer learning environments for children. More regarding Uganda from the BBC. Why Uganda's iconic crested crane faces extinction.

This army chief threatened to castrate opposition leader and asserted descent from Jesus. Journalist crowned king in Uganda after bitter succession dispute. Four toddlers stabbed to death at Ugandan nursery school.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

For now, ugandan police investigate deaths of four pupils in suspected school poisoning remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.