By KT Reporter
Police in Busoga North are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 10-year-old Sharifa Namugogo, a Primary Four pupil at Terek Primary School in Luuka District, from suspected food poisoning. According to reports, a pupil brought homemade rice to school on Friday, November 14, and shared it with classmates.
After eating the food, nine pupils began vomiting, drawing the attention of teachers. One teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they immediately questioned all the pupils, who confirmed they had eaten rice provided by another classmate. The teacher added that they hired motorcycles to rush the nine pupils to Kiyunga Health Center IV before informing their parents.
Police were later alerted, launching investigations into how the children were exposed to the suspected poisoned food. Busoga North police spokesperson Samson Lubega said Namugogo died in the early hours of Monday morning at Kiyunga Health Center IV, prompting a new phase in the investigations.
Lubega added that police have arrested two school administrators, currently detained at Luuka Central Police Station, to aid investigations. The inquiry will determine how unauthorized food items were allowed through the school gate and distributed to learners. He said food samples from the container have been collected and will be submitted to the police forensic department to ascertain whether poisonous substances were present.
Lubega confirmed that the other eight affected children are responding well to treatment and are gradually recovering. The deceased’s body is awaiting a postmortem at Kiyunga Health Center IV mortuary as investigations continue.
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