KAMPALA, Uganda – The Ugandan government has announced sweeping safety measures following a devastating road crash that claimed the lives of 24 pupils from King David Junior School, Ndejje, in Kapchorwa District.
The accident occurred on the evening of July 16, 2026, when a school bus transporting pupils back to Kampala from an educational trip to Sipi Falls overturned near Chekwatit Village in eastern Uganda. The crash also claimed the life of one adult, believed to have been a school official, while dozens of other passengers sustained injuries. Many of the survivors remain admitted to Kapchorwa General Hospital and other health facilities.
According to preliminary police investigations, the bus, registration number UA 108BQ, lost control while descending a hilly section of the road before veering off the carriageway, hitting a large rock, and overturning. It was one of two buses carrying pupils on the excursion, with the second vehicle completing the journey safely.
Residents living near the scene were the first to respond, helping rescue trapped passengers before emergency teams and the Uganda Red Cross Society arrived to transport the injured to hospital. Bodies of the deceased were taken to mortuaries in Kapchorwa and Mbale for identification.
The death toll initially stood at 21, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, but later rose to 24 after three injured pupils died while receiving treatment.
In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Education and Sports announced the immediate suspension of all school educational trips and excursions across the country until further notice. Acting Education Minister Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo said the decision was intended to safeguard learners as government undertakes a comprehensive review of school travel safety guidelines.
Schools with learners already on educational trips were directed to report to the nearest police station to receive security escorts for their safe return. The ministry also pledged to issue revised guidelines governing school excursions.
Police simultaneously intensified enforcement operations, intercepting and impounding several school buses transporting learners as authorities verified compliance with safety requirements.
Government is also considering additional measures aimed at strengthening school transport safety. These include restricting night travel for school buses, introducing mandatory vehicle inspections, strengthening driver vetting procedures, and requiring standardized markings or colours for school buses to improve visibility and identification.
Meanwhile, police have launched a full investigation into the crash. Investigators are examining possible factors, including driver conduct, the mechanical condition of the vehicle, road conditions, and compliance with existing transport regulations.
The review is also expected to assess adherence to the Ministry of Education’s current guidelines, which prohibit educational trips for nursery pupils, limit excursions for lower primary learners under strict conditions, require trips to conclude before 6 p.m., mandate prior police notification, and emphasize adequate teacher supervision, parental communication, and safety planning.
Senior government officials have visited survivors and bereaved families to offer support. Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi toured health facilities in Kapchorwa and Mbale, where he met injured pupils and coordinated assistance for affected families. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also conveyed the government’s condolences to the families of the victims and the King David Junior School community.
The tragedy has once again highlighted Uganda’s persistent road safety challenges. Fatal crashes involving public and school transport continue to raise concerns over speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, dangerous road conditions, and weak enforcement of traffic regulations.
The incident has sparked widespread mourning across the country, with parents, education stakeholders, and members of the public calling for greater accountability and stronger safeguards for children travelling on school trips.
While the government’s swift response has been welcomed, many observers say lasting improvements will depend on the effective implementation of tougher safety standards, regular vehicle inspections, better driver training, and sustained investment in road safety infrastructure.
As investigations continue, the Kapchorwa tragedy stands as one of the deadliest school transport accidents in Uganda’s recent history and a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen the safety of learners on the country’s roads.
