A school trip meant to give pupils a memorable learning experience has ended in one of Uganda’s deadliest road crashes after 21 people, including 20 pupils, were killed when a school bus overturned in Kapchorwa District. Police have confirmed that the devastating crash happened on Thursday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county. According […]
A school trip meant to give pupils a memorable learning experience has ended in one of Uganda’s deadliest road crashes after 21 people, including 20 pupils, were killed when a school bus overturned in Kapchorwa District.
Police have confirmed that the devastating crash happened on Thursday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county.
According to Police spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety SP Michael Kananura, the victims were travelling in an Isuzu school bus, registration number UA 108BQ, belonging to King David Junior School in Ndejje, Makindye Division, Kampala.
The pupils had been on an educational tour to the famous Sipi Falls and were heading back when tragedy struck.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the driver, whose identity has not yet been established, lost control of the bus while descending the road. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road, slammed into a huge roadside rock and overturned.
The impact killed 20 pupils and one adult male instantly.
Several other occupants survived with injuries and were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. Police said three adult men and several children were among those injured, although the exact number of survivors is yet to be confirmed.
The bodies of all the deceased were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary, where they await identification by relatives and postmortem examinations.
Police have launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash, including whether speeding, mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the accident.
The Uganda Police Force has extended condolences to the bereaved families, the management of King David Junior School and everyone affected by the tragedy, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The crash is yet another painful reminder of the dangers on Uganda’s roads, especially during school trips and long-distance travel.
