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MUKONO - Police on Friday October 13, said they were investigating the death of two pupils in a school in Mukono in Central Uganda.

The pupils died after eating suspected contaminated food served by a parent during a visit to school.

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the incident happened on Wednesday October 11, at Makuba Green alias Trek School.

He explained that the children ate sweet potatoes, chicken and rice and immediately after developed complications.

The victims were part of 19 pupils who were rushed to different medical facilities for emergency treatment after presenting similar complications.

“Police in Nagalama are investigating a case of suspected food poisoning that occurred in Nenyode village, Nakifuma Town Council, Nagalama in Mukono district, which resulted in the death of two students,” Onyango said.

He identified the deceased as 13 year old Andrew Kakumba, son of Jackson Kakumba, and 10 year old Victor Bongole, the son of Vincent Bongole, a resident of Luvule village in Kampisi parish.

Kakumba who was in Primary Seven, was due to write his Primary Leaving Exams next month.

What we know so far:

-Trek school operates both primary and nursery school units for day and boarding section.

-Police has reported that on October 11, 2023, Norah Nagujja, a teacher at the same school, carried cooked food from her home which she served to her three children in the boarding section.

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the incident happened on Wednesday October 11, at Makuba Green alias Trek School.

-Reports indicate that Nagujja's children shared the food packs with their friends at the same school. The beneficiaries included day scholars.

-During the night, the children who consumed this meal complained of abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and developed diarrhea.

-The school administration rushed the affected pupils to St. Francis Hospital in Naggalama.

-Day scholars who exhibited symptoms were treated at different healthcare facilities.

-Investigators included detectives from Kampala Metropolitan Police East and the Division who visited the scene .

Police spokesperson Onyango said statements were recorded from relevant witnesses, and several pieces of evidence, such as food remnants, suspected vomit samples, fecal matter, and swabs, were collected from both the victims and the deceased individuals for further analysis.

“The crime scene was meticulously examined, documented, and photographed by scene of crime officers. The bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to KCCA mortuary Mulago for postmortem examination,” Onyango noted.

Onyango said Dr. Julius Musinguzi of St. Francis Hospital reported that the hospital received 19 victims of suspected food poisoning.

“The victims presented symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, indicative of food poisoning, as noted by the Doctor. He mentioned that the admitted victims are currently stable but continue to experience diarrhea. They are receiving treatment, including fluid therapy and pain relief. The investigation is ongoing,” Onyango said.

In July this year, over 150 students of Nakanyonyi Senior Secondary School in Mukono District were admitted after they reportedly ate poisoned food.

A police report released in August indicated that the food was not poisoned but rather contaminated owing to poor storage.