Uganda has imposed an immediate nationwide suspension of all school trips and educational excursions following a devastating bus crash that claimed the lives of 20 pupils and one adult in Kapchorwa District.
Education Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo announced the temporary ban, saying the government must prioritise the safety of learners while investigators determine what caused Thursday evening’s tragedy. He said the suspension would remain in place as authorities review school travel safety measures and complete their investigation.
The accident occurred at about 8:00pm local time in Chekwatit village as a bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje returned from an educational tour to the popular Sipi Falls tourist area. Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle lost control on Chekwatit Hill, struck a large roadside rock and overturned. Officials have also indicated the bus may have experienced a mechanical fault before the crash.
Among those who died was the school’s founder and director, Tadeo Ssekade. Dozens of other passengers, including pupils and members of staff, were injured, with several children reported to be in critical condition in hospital. Emergency responders and local residents worked together to rescue survivors from the wreckage before they were transported for medical treatment.
Videos shared on social media showed the severely damaged bus as residents rushed to assist injured children before emergency services arrived. The crash has shocked Uganda, where road accidents remain a major public safety concern.
Traffic police spokesperson Michael Kananura said investigators were continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. The stretch of road where the accident occurred has been the scene of several serious collisions in recent years and is regarded as one of the country’s most dangerous routes.
Uganda records thousands of road fatalities every year, with speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, dangerous road conditions and driver error frequently cited as contributing factors. The latest tragedy has renewed calls for stricter oversight of school transport and tougher enforcement of road safety regulations.
The government says the suspension of school trips is a precautionary measure intended to prevent another tragedy while authorities review existing safety guidelines for educational travel.
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