- At least 20 pupils and one adult were killed after a bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School crashed in Kapchorwa, Uganda, in one of the country's deadliest road accidents involving children in recent years.
- Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus suffered a mechanical fault before the driver lost control on Chekwatit Hill, a notorious stretch of road known for serious crashes.
- The bus crashed at about 20:00 local time on Thursday evening, striking a large rock and overturning.
- Bebe Cool has called for stricter regulations governing school trips following the tragic accident, proposing that all school trips receive formal approval from the Ministry of Education and Sports.
- Videos shared by eyewitnesses showed the bus badly damaged as local residents rushed to help the injured children.
- Uganda records thousands of road deaths every year, with speeding, poorly maintained vehicles, and dangerous roads among the leading causes.
- Chekwatit Hill is widely reported as one of Uganda's leading accident black spots, with many fatal crashes occurring over the years.
- This crash is one of the deadliest involving school children in Uganda in recent years.
At least 20 schoolchildren and one adult died in a horrific bus crash in Kapchorwa, Uganda, on Thursday evening. The bus, carrying pupils from King David Junior School, crashed at Chekwatit village around 20:00 local time, reportedly due to a mechanical fault that caused the driver to lose control.3
The pupils were returning from a study tour at Sipi Falls when the bus veered off the road, struck a large rock, and overturned. Minister of Local Government, Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara, confirmed the fatalities, including the school's founder, Tadeo Ssekade. Local officials noted that Chekwatit Hill is notorious for serious accidents, raising concerns about road safety in Uganda.7
In response to the tragedy, Bebe Cool called for stricter regulations on school transport, advocating for formal approval of school trips by the Ministry of Education and mandatory vehicle inspections. He emphasized the need for strict driver fitness checks and suggested police escorts for long-distance trips. “The greatest loss comes when authorities fail to act despite preventable risks,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need for reform.4
This incident is one of the deadliest involving schoolchildren in recent years, with Uganda experiencing thousands of road deaths annually due to factors like speeding and poorly maintained vehicles. The community's response to the crash was commendable, with many offering assistance in rescue efforts, showcasing solidarity during this tragic time.
“The bus from King David Junior School in Ndejje was returning from a study tour to Sipi Falls when a mechanical fault caused the driver to lose control on Chekwatit Hill, a notorious blackspot. Dozens were injured, and the crash has renewed concerns over school transport safety, with Bebe Cool proposing mandatory roadworthiness inspections and police escorts.”
Daily Star
