78 pupils admitted over suspected food poisoning

At least 78 pupils of Kagumu Primary School in Kibuku District have been admitted at different health centres after allegedly eating food laced with poison.
The victims who are in boarding section were rushed to Kibuku Health centre IV and Mbale regional referral hospital on Thursday evening after they developed severe complications such as vomiting and stomachache.

The District Police Commander (DPC), Mr Stephen Twinomugisha told Daily Monitor on Friday that preliminary investigations indicated that the pupils started having complications shortly after having their dinner of posho and beans at around 7 pm.
“We suspect that someone sneaked into the school and laced the food with poison but this is a matter which is still being investigated. This was a quite unfortunate and regrettable incident,” Mr Twinomugisha said.

Mr Twinomugisha explained that close to 78 pupils were seen collapsing one after the other immediately after eating the food.
He added, however, that no death has been registered so far.
“No death has been registered so far but the victims are admitted to different health facilities,”Mr Twinomugisha added.
He said samples of food, which the pupils ate had been taken to Wandegeya government analytical laboratory for testing to establish the exact type of poison that were contained in the food.

The head teacher of the school, Mr Moses Kirya, told Daily Monitor that they (school administrators) were puzzled because the pupils went to have their super as usual.
“Upon having their meals, the pupils went back for their usual evening lessons but unfortunately, after 15 minutes into the lessons, pupils started complaining of severe stomachaches,” he said.
He added, “The school administration is totally shocked and puzzled. We have never registered such nasty incident.”