news 11 November 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Kampala School Headteacher Arrested After Four Pupils Die in Suspected Poisoning

Police in Kampala have launched an investigation and arrested a school headteacher following the tragic deaths of four primary pupils from suspected food or chemical poisoning. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/headteacher-arrested-as-four-kampala-pupils-die-in-suspected-food-poisoning-5666618

Kampala Metropolitan Police have initiated an active investigation into the deaths of four young female pupils at Ta’aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre, located in the Kawempe Division. The tragic incident unfolded when the learners passed away under suspicious circumstances, prompting authorities to cordon off the school premises as a crime scene.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, SP Racheal Kawala, confirmed that three of the children passed away at their respective family homes, while a fourth pupil succumbed to her condition while receiving emergency medical care at Kasangati Hospital. The deceased learners have been identified as Nakitende Mariam, Kiruta Rwahim, Nasuna Nusufa, and Nabeta Failuzi.

Following the initial findings, police arrested the school head teacher, Mr Muzahim Ssuuna, to assist with ongoing inquiries. Detectives are working to establish the exact sequence of events and determine if chemical or food poisoning was involved. Postmortem examinations have been scheduled to ascertain the definitive medical cause of death.

Speaking to journalists at the scene, former Kawempe South MP Latif Ssebaggala shared preliminary accounts suggesting that the tragedy may be linked to fruits brought onto the campus. According to reports, a pupil returned from a short break with oranges and shared them with fellow students. School administrators reportedly sent the affected children home after they developed health complications, leading to the devastating discovery of the fatalities.

This heartbreaking incident highlights growing concerns over health and safety standards across educational institutions in Uganda. Several recent cases involving food contamination, such as incidents in Luuka and Pakwach districts, have renewed calls for stricter regulation of food handling and snacks brought into schools. Authorities have urged parents and administrators to tighten oversight to ensure the safety of all learners.