Wakiso, Uganda: Police in Kawempe Division are holding a school director in connection with the death of a four-year-old boy who sustained fatal burns after reportedly falling into a saucepan of hot tea at a daycare centre.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Rachael Kawala, confirmed the arrest on Monday, April 20, 2026, identifying the suspect as Aluku Elizabeth, director of Portless Kindergarten and Daycare in Kawanda, Chivulu Cell, Nabweru Division.
According to police, the incident occurred on April 10, 2026, when the child, who was enrolled in middle class, fell into a saucepan containing hot tea while at school.
The boy sustained severe burn injuries on the lower part of his body and was rushed for medical attention. He was later pronounced dead on April 15 at a health facility in Kampala.
Police say preliminary investigations point to negligence, revealing that no teacher was present in the classroom at the time of the incident. “By the time of the incident, there was no teacher in the class. They had all gone to another room,” Kawala said.
She added that the case is being handled as suspected neglect, with investigations ongoing.
Following the incident, police have issued a strong warning to school administrators and caregivers to prioritise child safety, especially in early childhood learning environments.
“This incident should be a lesson to us,” Kawala said. “Schools must secure their cooking areas and avoid bringing hot foods or drinks like tea and porridge into classrooms where children are unsupervised.”
She further revealed that police fire and rescue teams will begin inspections of school kitchen facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns about safety standards in daycare centres and nursery schools, particularly regarding supervision and handling of hazardous materials around young children.
Authorities are urging school proprietors and caregivers to exercise heightened vigilance to prevent similar tragedies. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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