OMM Newsroom
Police in Uganda are investigating the deaths of four pupils at a school in the capital, Kampala, amid suspicions that they may have been poisoned, according to the BBC.
The four girls, aged between nine and 11, died on Tuesday. Three died at home, while the fourth died in hospital while receiving emergency treatment.
The head teacher at Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre has been arrested to assist with the investigation.
The school said eight pupils had eaten oranges shared by another pupil. Five of them, including the four who later died, began vomiting. The fifth pupil remains in hospital.
Post-mortem examinations are being conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
Local media quoted a police spokesperson as saying detectives would visit the village where the oranges came from. The school centre has been cordoned off as a crime scene.
Ugandan media have shared videos of grieving parents describing their children's final moments. Some parents accused the school of failing to provide clear and timely information.
Police have offered condolences to the families and the affected community, saying further information would be provided in due course.
The deaths come amid growing concerns about health and safety conditions in schools across Uganda. Previous incidents involving suspected contaminated food and exposure to harmful substances have led to pupils being hospitalised with symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting and breathing difficulties.
Those incidents have intensified calls for authorities to strengthen monitoring of school feeding schemes, improve hygiene standards and ensure safer learning environments for children.
