A sombre mood has engulfed Telik Junior School in Luuka District after a Primary Two pupil lost her life and eight of her classmates were rushed to hospital following a suspected case of food poisoning.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded on November 14 when a young pupil shared food brought from home with her friends. Minutes after the children ate the meal, several of them began vomiting and experiencing severe diarrhea. Teachers immediately rushed the affected pupils to Kiyunga Health Centre IV for emergency care.
The deceased has been identified as Namugogo Sharifah. Her body was later taken to Kiyunga Hospital for a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, eight other pupils are still receiving medical attention.
Police Spokesperson for Busoga North, Samson Lubega, confirmed that investigators are treating the case as suspected food poisoning. Two people connected to the school’s management have already been taken into custody to help with the investigations.
Police forensic teams and medical experts have also been deployed to analyse the food and identify whatever harmful substance may have caused the tragedy.
Lubega expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and urged the community to remain calm as investigations continue. He noted that the findings will guide authorities on how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident has left parents, teachers, and the wider Luuka community deeply shaken as they await answers on what exactly went wrong.