Police investigating suspected Food Poisoning at Mityana School

Mityana police are investigating an incident of suspected poisoning of pupils at Golden Learning Centre Nursery and Primary School. The incident occurred on September 27, 2023, at about 02:00 PM within the school premises located in Namungo Central Village, Namungo Parish, Namungo Subcounty, Mityana District.

According to SP Kawala Racheal, the PRO for the Wamala Region, it is reported that on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, around 02:00 PM, shortly after the pupils had finished lunch served and prepared by the school, they began to experience sudden symptoms including stomachaches, headaches, and vomiting.

More than 100 affected pupils were immediately rushed to various health facilities for medical attention, including Namungo Health Center III and MUKJ Medical Clinic, among others. The pupils had been served a meal of posho and beans as part of the day’s menu.

Police officers rushed to the scene to conduct an examination, document evidence, and record statements from the affected pupils. Subsequently, two suspects, identified as Kule Alfred and Mumbere Edgar, who are both employed as school cooks, were arrested to aid in the ongoing investigations. They are currently in custody at Mityana Central Police Station.

SP Kawala explained that samples of the food have been collected from the school and are pending forensic analysis. As a precautionary measure, the school premises have been sealed off pending further guidance from the ongoing investigations.

The school enrols a total of 350 pupils, with both day and boarding sections, ranging from kindergarten classes to primary seven. By the evening, most of the affected pupils had been discharged from medical care, with 50 individuals still under medical observation but in stable conditions.

Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported in connection with this incident. The suspicion is that the victims may have consumed contaminated food, and investigations are still ongoing.