4-Year-Old Pupil Dies from Burns After Falling into Unattended Hot Tea at Kindergarten

A tragic incident at Spotless Kindergarten and Day-care in Kawanda, Kivulu, Nabweru Division, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, claimed the life of a four-year-old middle class pupil. The child fell into a saucepan of hot tea that had been left unattended in the classroom, suffering fatal burns to the lower body.

The boy was rushed to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital after the April 10, 2026 accident but passed away on April 15. Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the details, noting that no teacher was present in the classroom at the time as they had moved to another room.

Police detained kindergarten director Elizabeth Aluku on charges of rash and negligent act. Kawala stressed the need for schools to prioritize child safety, secure cooking areas, and avoid leaving hot food in classrooms without supervision. Fire and rescue teams plan to inspect school kitchens following this event.

This case follows the ongoing trial of Christopher Okello Onyum, accused of stabbing four toddlers to death at a daycare in Ggaba on April 2, 2026, while posing as a parent.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)