4 pupils die after eating orange from classmate

A wave of grief has engulfed a school community in Uganda after four young schoolgirls died under mysterious circumstances in a suspected poisoning incident that has left parents, teachers and fellow pupils devastated.

The four children, aged between nine and 11 years, were pupils at Ta’aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre in Kikulu Zone, Kikaaya Parish, Kawempe Division, Kampala District.

The heartbreaking incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, November 10, at around 2pm, according to the Uganda Police Force, which has since launched investigations to establish what led to the sudden deaths.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that three of the girls died at their respective homes, while the fourth passed away at Kasangati Hospital, where she had been rushed in search of medical attention.

The deceased pupils have been identified as 11-year-old Nakitende Mariam, who was in Primary Four; 11-year-old Kiruta Rwahim, a Primary Five pupil; 11-year-old Nasuna Nusufa, also in Primary Four; and nine-year-old Nabeta Failuzi, who was in Primary Three.

Their deaths have raised serious questions about what might have happened before the children fell ill, with authorities working to establish whether they consumed a poisonous substance.

The circumstances surrounding the tragedy remain unclear, particularly because the girls reportedly died in different locations rather than at the school.

Investigators are now expected to establish whether the suspected poisoning happened within the school premises, at the children’s homes or somewhere else.

In a statement released on Wednesday, November 11, police confirmed that investigations were underway and announced that postmortem examinations would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

The examinations are expected to provide crucial evidence that could help investigators establish whether poisoning was indeed responsible for the deaths.

Police have not yet disclosed what the children might have consumed, and no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding the suspected poisoning.

As investigations continue, the deaths of the four young girls have left their families facing an unimaginable loss. The school community has also been thrown into mourning as authorities work to piece together the events that led to the tragedy.

For now, many questions remain unanswered, with parents and the wider community hoping that the ongoing investigations will uncover the truth and establish exactly what happened to the four pupils.

The cause of death will only be confirmed after the relevant medical examinations and investigations are completed.