The Police in Luuka District have arrested a woman over allegations of food poisoning which left 26 pupils of Buwanda Primary School hospitalised with stomach pain.
Busoga North Spokesperson, Mr Samson Lubega, said on Wednesday that the 37-year-old suspect, a resident of Buyoola Village in Nawampiti Sub-county, is being held at Nawampiti Police Station as investigations continue.
‘We will prepare an independent report to determine the precise circumstances that occurred, but it is reassuring to note that the children are in stable condition,’ Mr Lubega said.
Her arrest followed a Saturday incident where a learner carried white ant meal from home to school and shared it with her colleagues in Primary One and Three classes, who shortly developed stomach pains and were later rushed to Ikonia Health Centre III before being transferred to Kiyunga Health Centre IV.
Mr Lubega said food samples and medical reports would help investigators establish whether the pupils were affected by poison.
Mr Godfrey Matege, the NRM chairman for Nawampiti Sub-county, called for a thorough investigation to establish what happened.
‘We urge police to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts of the case and ensure justice is served,’ Mr Matege said.
Mr Matege urged parents to be vigilant about food items children carry to school and encouraged the community to observe food safety practices.
District education and health officials have since visited the school to counsel pupils and engage parents on child protection and food safety.
Local leaders in Nawampiti have also urged parents to discourage children from taking unpackaged or uninspected food to school.