Law enforcement authorities in Uganda are examining the fatalities of four students at an educational institution located in Kampala, with suspicions pointing toward potential poisoning.
The four female students, ranging from nine to 11 years of age, passed away on Tuesday. Three victims died at their residences, whereas the fourth expired during emergency medical care at a hospital.
The principal of the institution, identified as Ta'aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre, has been taken into custody to aid ongoing inquiries.
Reports from the school indicate that eight children consumed oranges distributed by a classmate.
Five students, which included the four who subsequently died, began experiencing vomiting. The remaining fifth pupil remains hospitalized.
Autopsies are currently underway to establish the precise cause of death.
A law enforcement representative told local press outlets that investigators plan to travel to the village of origin for the oranges consumed by the children.
The facility has been secured and sealed off as an active crime investigation zone.
Local media broadcasts featured footage of distraught parents recounting their children's final hours, with several blaming the administration for withholding prompt and transparent details.
Police expressed sympathy to the affected families and community, stating that additional updates will be released subsequently.
This fatal event occurs amid growing anxieties regarding safety and health standards within educational facilities throughout Uganda.
Past instances featuring suspected tainted food and contact with toxic materials have resulted in student hospitalizations marked by abdominal pain, vomiting, and respiratory complications.
These occurrences have amplified demands for government officials to enhance oversight of school meal programs, raise sanitation standards, and guarantee secure educational settings for minors.