Ugandan police have launched an investigation into the deaths of four young girls at a Kampala primary school following a suspected poisoning incident, leading to the arrest of the school's head teacher.
The victims, who were between nine and 11 years old, died on Tuesday after falling severely ill at the Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre. School officials said eight pupils had consumed oranges brought in and shared by a fellow pupil.
Five of the children began vomiting after eating the fruit. Three of the girls later died at their homes, while a fourth passed away while receiving emergency medical care at a hospital. The fifth pupil who fell ill remains in hospital receiving treatment.
Detectives have cordoned off the educational centre as an active crime scene, and post-mortem examinations are being carried out to establish the exact cause of death. A police spokesperson said investigators also intend to travel to the village from where the oranges were originally sourced.
The deaths have provoked anger and grief among families, with parents sharing accounts of their children's final moments and accusing the school management of failing to provide clear and timely information about the situation. Police said condolences have been offered to the bereaved families and that further details will be released as inquiries proceed.
The tragedy has brought renewed scrutiny to health, hygiene, and safety conditions in schools across Uganda. Previous cases involving suspected contaminated food or exposure to hazardous substances have left pupils hospitalised with stomach pain, vomiting, and breathing difficulties, prompting wider calls for authorities to tighten oversight of school feeding practices and guarantee safer environments for children.
