A school trip that was meant to offer learning and adventure ended in one of Uganda’s deadliest road tragedies after a bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School crashed in Kapchorwa District, leaving at least 21 people dead and several others injured.
Confirming the tragedy, Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety Public Relations Officer SP Michael Kananura said police had established that the death toll had risen to 21.
“We wish to confirm that, following the fatal road traffic crash that occurred yesterday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, a total of 21 people, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, have so far been confirmed dead.”
According to the police spokesperson, the crash involved a school bus belonging to King David Junior School in Kampala.
“The crash involved an Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, belonging to King David Junior School, Ndejje, Makindye Division, Kampala. The driver has not yet been identified.”
Police said rescue efforts were mounted immediately after the accident, with survivors being evacuated to nearby health facilities for emergency treatment.
“Several survivors, whose identities are yet to be established, were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for medical treatment.”
Investigators believe the pupils had spent the day on an educational excursion to the popular Sipi Falls tourism site before disaster struck on their return journey.
SP Kananura explained that preliminary findings point to the driver losing control of the vehicle before it overturned.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the school bus had taken pupils on an educational tour to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa District. While returning from the tour, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned.”
Police said the victims included the majority of the children who were on board, while others survived with injuries.
“The crash claimed the lives of one adult male and 20 pupils, while three adult males and several juveniles sustained injuries.”
The deceased have since been taken to the Kapchorwa Mortuary as authorities work to identify the victims and complete postmortem examinations.
“The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations.”
The Traffic Police said investigations remain underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the devastating crash.
“Police investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
As families, teachers and the wider public come to terms with the tragedy, the Uganda Police Force extended its sympathy to those who lost loved ones and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the management of King David Junior School, and all those affected by this tragic incident. We also wish the injured a quick and full recovery.”
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to road safety involving school transport, particularly during long-distance educational trips, as investigators seek to establish what caused the bus to lose control.
This is not the first accident involving pupils on a school trip. Months ago, pupils were killed when a driver fell asleep while driving a bus carrying Kampala School Pupils, causing it to overturn in Mityana, as reported Here.
The education ministry reacted by issuing strict guidelines for school trips, as reported Here.
