21 dead as Uganda school bus carrying pupils from study trip crashes

21 dead as Uganda school bus carrying pupils from study trip crashes

A devastating school bus crash in Uganda has claimed the lives of at least 20 pupils and the founder of their school after a bus carrying children home from an educational excursion overturned in the eastern part of the country.

The fatal accident occurred around 8:00 p.m. local time on Thursday at Chekwatit Hill in Kapchorwa District, a notorious stretch of road known for repeated fatal crashes. The pupils from King David Junior School, located in Ndejje near Kampala, were returning from a study tour to the famous Sipi Falls when tragedy struck.

According to the Uganda Police Force, preliminary investigations indicate that the bus developed a mechanical fault while descending the steep hill. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, slammed into a large rock and overturned.

Police confirmed that 21 people died in the crash, including 20 schoolchildren and Mr. Tadeo Ssekade, the founder and director of King David Junior School. Authorities said dozens of other passengers, including teachers and school staff, survived with injuries, while several remain in critical condition.

Emergency responders, police officers and residents rushed to the crash site to rescue victims trapped inside the wreckage. Many of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment as rescue operations continued late into the night.

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Videos recorded by eyewitnesses showed the bus severely mangled after the crash, with residents working alongside security officials to pull injured children from the wreckage before ambulances arrived.

Officials praised members of the local community for their swift response, saying their efforts helped save several lives during the rescue operation.

Investigators are yet to determine the exact cause of the accident, although early findings point to a suspected brake or mechanical failure. Authorities are also examining whether the steep terrain, vehicle condition and other factors contributed to the tragedy.

The identities of the deceased pupils have not yet been officially released as authorities continue notifying their families.

Road safety concerns intensify

The tragedy has renewed concerns over road safety in Uganda, particularly along Chekwatit Hill, which has gained a reputation as one of the country’s most dangerous roads due to its steep descent and history of fatal accidents.

The latest incident also comes amid growing worries over the safety of school transportation following several recent crashes involving buses carrying students across the country.

Uganda continues to record thousands of road crashes annually. Traffic authorities have consistently identified speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, mechanical failures, reckless driving, overloaded vehicles and hazardous road conditions as the leading causes of fatal accidents.

The latest Uganda school bus crash has prompted fresh calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations, compulsory mechanical inspections for school buses and improved safety measures to protect children travelling on educational trips.

As investigations continue, condolences have poured in from government officials, parents, religious leaders and members of the public, with many calling for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

21 dead as Uganda school bus carrying pupils from study trip crashes