Uganda suspends school trips after bus crash death toll reaches 24

The death toll from a school bus crash in eastern Uganda has risen to 24, comprising 23 students and one adult, following the deaths of three additional pupils. The bus, carrying students and teachers from King David Junior School in Kampala, overturned in Kapchorwa district after the driver lost control. Police suspect the adult victim is the school’s founder and head. The Ministry of Education and Sports has ordered a nationwide halt to school trips pending investigation, while police have promised escorts for student travel.

Police investigators stated the bus overturned after hitting a large stone in Chekwatit village. The vehicle was returning to Kampala from a trip to Sipi Falls on Thursday night when the accident occurred. Six of the deceased have yet to be identified, and 23 injured children remain under treatment at Kapchorwa General Hospital. Three other vehicles on the same trip returned home safely, police said.

The Ministry of Education and Sports on Friday ordered a nationwide halt to school trips to allow for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding recent crashes involving schoolchildren. This administrative action underscores the government’s response to the escalating crisis, shifting focus from immediate rescue efforts to systemic policy review.

Police also announced they will provide escorts to ensure the safe return of learners to their respective schools. This measure aims to mitigate risk during the suspension period, although the specific protocols for these escorts have not been detailed in the initial statement. The incident highlights the urgent need for regulatory oversight in student transport logistics.

Uganda has one of the world’s worst road safety records, with crashes often attributed to poorly maintained vehicles and roads, as well as speeding. Earlier this month, 14 people died in a bus and truck collision in northern Uganda. In October, at least 46 people were killed when two buses collided on a major highway. These recurring incidents suggest a persistent failure in infrastructure maintenance and enforcement of traffic regulations.

The exact identity of the adult victim is not confirmed, though police believe it to be the school’s founder and head. The specific cause of the driver losing control is not definitively established, only that control was lost and the bus hit a stone. The condition of the remaining 23 injured students is not detailed beyond them being treated. The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine whether mechanical failure, speed, or road conditions contributed to the loss of control.