At least 20 children and one adult tragically lost their lives when a school bus collided with a rock on a dangerous road in eastern Uganda. The incident occurred as the group was returning from a school trip to Sipi Falls waterfalls, a popular tourist destination.
According to the Uganda Police Force, the driver lost control of the bus due to a suspected mechanical issue around 8pm local time on Thursday. The bus then went off Chekwatit Hill in Kawowo, a location known for previous serious accidents.
Survivors, including three adults and multiple children, were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. The exact number of injured individuals has not been confirmed by authorities.
The bus was transporting students from King David Junior School, based in Ndejje. Eyewitnesses captured videos of the heavily damaged bus at the scene while locals provided assistance to the injured children.
Police stated that the deceased victims were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary for identification and postmortem examinations. The Uganda Police Force expressed condolences to the affected families, the school management, and all impacted by the tragic event, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara, the Minister of Local Government, confirmed the unfortunate loss of 20 children and 1 adult, identified as the school’s founder and director, Mr. Tadeo Ssekade.
An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Chekwatit Hill has a history of fatal accidents, making it a notorious black spot for road incidents in Uganda.
This incident stands as one of the deadliest road accidents involving children in the country in recent times.