63 Amuria pupils admitted over suspected poisoning

By Godfrey Ojore     

At least 63 pupils of Abarilela P/S in Amuria district were on Tuesday afternoon rushed to Amuria health centre, four in critical condition, over suspected poisoning.

The pupils from primary four up to seven developed abdominal pain at 10:00am and an hour later administration had to call an ambulance to rush them to Amuria.

According to Charles Ocara, the school head teacher, the affected children were part of the music choir that took part in a competition with four other schools on Monday.

“After the competitions the children had late lunch at about 8:00pm and returned to their homes. This morning all the pupils were well during assembly but I was shocked after a teacher called at about 11:00am saying the children were complaining of stomach pain,” Ocara said.

However Dr. Raymond Malinga said the children suffered from food poisoning and that there was no cause for alarm among the parents.

“Our preliminary results indicate that there was food poisoning and secondly pupils took long without eating on Monday but they will be fine,” Dr. Malinga said.

Some the pupils who were put on drip had improved and they were saying the pain had reduced.

“I am feeling better compared to the time I was brought here. The pain was too much to bear and I thought I was going to die the next minute,” said Isaac Omaring of P.6.

However parents were not satisfied with the doctor's remarks and demanded that the blood samples of the pupils be taken for check up to ascertain the real cause.

“We highly doubt you doctor; how come that it’s our children alone who complain yet others from other school don’t complain? You should take the blood samples for check up and tell us the results,” one parent shouted.

Efforts of Dr. Malinga to explain to the angry parents about food poisoning fell on deaf ears until he accepted to take the blood samples of the pupils.

“But the results will take a week because we have to take them to Kampala for testing,” Dr. Malinga told parents.

Florence Asero, the head of family protection unit at Amuria police said they have launched investigations to establish whether there could be issues relating to poisoning.

“As doctors are trying their best we are also going to investigate this matter to help parents know the actual cause of this issue,” Aseo said.

Max Ebalu, the LC3 Abarilela, tried to calm the parents by urging those whose children were not in bad state to take their children because of congestion in the wards.

Meanwhile three parents cheated death on their way to check on their children in the hospital when the front tyre of their motorbike burst.

Zakario Elasu, Jocye Akiteng and Margaret Alio sustained serious injuries and were also admitted at the same facility.