Saturday, November 14, 2026 - Ugandan police have launched an urgent investigation following the deaths of four schoolgirls aged between nine and 11 in a suspected poisoning incident at Ta’aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre in Kampala.
The tragedy occurred on November 10, 2026, after several pupils reportedly became seriously ill following the sharing of oranges brought to school by another learner. According to preliminary reports, eight pupils ate the fruit, five developed vomiting symptoms and four subsequently died. Three girls died at their homes, while the fourth passed away at Kasangati Hospital despite receiving emergency treatment.
Police have arrested the school's head teacher to assist with investigations as detectives work to establish what caused the children's deaths. The school has been cordoned off as a crime scene, while post-mortem examinations are being conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators are also expected to trace the source of the oranges and examine whether they were contaminated. One surviving pupil remains under medical care, while authorities continue gathering evidence and statements from those connected to the incident. Police have urged the public to allow investigations to establish the facts rather than speculate about the cause.
The heartbreaking incident has raised fresh concerns about food safety, emergency response and child protection in Ugandan learning institutions. Parents are demanding answers as questions emerge over how the children became ill and whether faster medical intervention could have made a difference.
Schools across the country face renewed pressure to strengthen food safety procedures, supervise food brought into classrooms and establish effective emergency response systems. As investigations continue, the priority remains establishing the truth, supporting affected families and ensuring that children's safety receives the attention it urgently deserves.
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