By Eye Media Uganda | Luuka | August 11, 2026
Police in Luuka District have arrested a 37-year-old woman following an incident on Friday August 7, 2026 in which 26 pupils of Buwanda Primary School fell ill after reportedly eating white ants.
The suspect, identified as Rebecca Tibenda, is a resident of Buyoola Village in Nawampiti Sub-county. She is being detained at Nawampiti Police Station as investigations continue.
According to preliminary accounts, Tibenda’s Primary One child reportedly carried white ants to school and shared them with classmates.
Shortly after eating them, several pupils developed stomach pain, prompting school authorities to rush them to Kiyunga Health Centre IV for treatment.
All 26 pupils received treatment and survived the incident.
Nawampiti Sub-county NRM chairman Godfrey Matege confirmed Tibenda’s arrest and called for comprehensive investigations to establish what caused the children to fall ill.
“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 also urged parents to pay greater attention to food their children carry to school and called for increased sensitisation about food safety.
Tibenda, however, denied poisoning the white ants.
“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 investigations are expected to establish whether the pupils’ illness resulted from poisoning or another cause.
Food samples and medical findings from Kiyunga Health Centre IV are expected to assist investigators in establishing what caused the pupils to become sick.
District education and health officials have since visited Buwanda Primary School, where they engaged pupils and parents on child protection and food safety.
Authorities in Nawampiti have also cautioned parents against sending children to school with unpackaged or uninspected food while investigations continue.
