Four female pupils aged between nine and 11 have died in a suspected poisoning incident at Ta’aliim Primary School and Quran Memorisation Centre in Kampala, with police investigating whether oranges reportedly shared among learners were linked to their deaths.
The children reportedly died on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after developing severe stomach complications and vomiting. Three died at their respective homes, while the fourth passed away at Kasangati Hospital, where she had been taken for emergency treatment.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala identified the deceased as Nakitende Mariam, 11, a Primary Four pupil; Kiruta Rwahim, 11, a Primary Five pupil; Nasuna Nusufa, 11, also in Primary Four; and Nabeta Failuzi, nine, who was in Primary Three.
The incident also left another pupil hospitalised at Mulago National Referral Hospital after developing similar symptoms. At the time of the initial reports, the child was said to be in critical condition.
According to information provided by the school, eight pupils had eaten oranges reportedly brought by another learner and shared among classmates. Five subsequently developed vomiting and other complications, with four dying and the fifth receiving medical attention.
Former Kawempe South MP Latif Ssebaggala told journalists that the pupil suspected of bringing the oranges had returned to school after a short break during the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). She reportedly shared the fruit with learners in Primary Two, Three and Four.
The suspected source of the oranges has drawn attention to Kifumbiro-Manyangwa in Wakiso District, where the pupil reportedly collected them before taking them to school. However, investigators have not established whether the fruit was contaminated or whether it caused the children's illness.
Local area information secretary Eria Matovu Makura told The Observer that one pupil first complained of stomach complications during the night before other children began displaying similar symptoms.
He said the school director and dormitory matron initially took the affected pupils to a nearby clinic for first aid. As their conditions worsened, the school began releasing learners to their parents, while other families rushed to collect their children.
Parents have also recounted the distressing circumstances surrounding their children's final moments. Musa Ssekandi, the father of Nabeta, told The Observer that the school contacted his wife and asked the family to collect their daughter after her condition deteriorated.
Ssekandi said the girl appeared to stabilise after receiving medical attention at a nearby clinic, prompting the family to take her home. However, her condition worsened again during the night, and she died while they were taking her to Kasangati Hospital.
Another parent, Hassan Magumba, said his daughter Mariam was brought home barely responsive and foaming at the mouth. The family rushed her to Anex Medical Centre, where she was pronounced dead.
Police forensic officers visited the school on Wednesday, November 11, and recovered orange peels for examination as investigators sought to establish whether the fruit contained harmful substances.
The school premises in Kikulu Zone, Kikaaya Parish, Kawempe Division, have been cordoned off as a crime scene, while the institution has been closed as investigations continue.
Police medical teams are conducting post-mortem examinations to establish the exact cause of death and determine whether poisoning was involved. Authorities have also indicated that detectives will investigate the village from which the oranges reportedly originated.
Police have expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the school community as investigations continue.
