Woman, 37, arrested over alleged poisoning of 26 pupils in Luuka

Samples of the food and medical reports from Kiyunga Health Centre IV are expected to assist investigators in determining whether poisoning occurred and, if so, what substance was involved.

LUUKA, UGANDA: Police in Luuka District have arrested a 37-year-old woman following an incident in which 26 pupils of Buwanda Primary School were hospitalized after allegedly eating poisoned white ants.

The suspect, identified as Tibenda Rebecca, a resident of Buyoola Village in Nawampiti Sub-county, is being detained at Nawampiti Police Station as investigations continue.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Buwanda Primary School. According to police and school officials, Tibenda’s Primary One child reportedly carried white ants to school and shared them with classmates.

Shortly after eating the insects, several pupils reportedly developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to Kiyunga Health Centre IV for medical attention.

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Health workers said all 26 pupils were treated and survived.

The arrest was confirmed by the NRM Chairman for Nawampiti Sub-county, Matege Godfrey, who called for a thorough investigation to establish what happened.

“The suspect has been arrested and is being held at Nawampiti Police Station. We ask police to make thorough investigations to find out the truth of the matter so that justice is served,” Matege said.

He urged parents to remain vigilant about food carried by children to school and called for increased sensitisation on food safety in the area.

However, Tibenda has denied poisoning the white ants, saying the insects contained no poison.

She told DailyExpress that her own children also ate the same white ants and did not fall ill. “I did not put any poison. My children also ate the same white ants and they are fine. I don’t know what happened to the other children,” she said.

Police have not yet established the substance that caused the pupils’ illness and say investigations are ongoing.

Samples of the food and medical reports from Kiyunga Health Centre IV are expected to assist investigators in determining whether poisoning occurred and, if so, what substance was involved.

District education and health officials have since visited Buwanda Primary School to counsel the pupils and engage parents on child protection and food safety.

Local leaders have also urged parents to ensure that children do not carry unpacked or unverified food to school.

This website understands that the investigation remains ongoing into the incident, and Tibenda has not been convicted of any offence.