Police in Mityana have arrested two suspects, both school cooks at Golden Learning Centre Nursery and Primary School, to aid with the ongoing investigations in the case of suspected poisoning of over 100 pupils at the school.
The suspects, identified as Kule Alfred and Mumbere Edger, were arrested in Namungo Central Village, Namungo Parish, Namungo Sub-county, Mityana District, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
According to SP Kawala Racheal, the Public Relations Officer Wamala Region, the pupils experienced symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, and vomiting immediately after being served posho and beans for lunch at 1400 hours at the school.
“Two suspects, identified as Kule Alfred and Mumbere Edger, both school cooks, have been arrested to aid with the ongoing investigations,” Kawala said.
Kawala said that the pupils were taken to various health facilities, including Namungo Health Centre III and MUKJ Medical Clinic.
“The school has been sealed off pending further guidance. Preliminary findings indicate a total enrollment of 350 pupils, with most students discharged by evening, leaving about 50 under medical monitoring but in stable conditions. No fatalities have been reported at this time,” Kawala said.
She added that police detectives had documented the crime scene and taken victim statements.
The suspects are currently detained at Mityana CPS. Food samples from the school have been collected for forensic analysis.