A devastating road accident has claimed the lives of at least 21 people and left 70 others injured after a school bus carrying pupils of Kings David Junior School, Ndejje, overturned in Kapchorwa District on Thursday evening.
The tragic crash occurred at around 7:40 p.m. at Chekwatit Village in Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county. According to preliminary police findings, the Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, was returning from a tour of the famous Sipi Falls tourist site when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle.
Police say the bus veered off course, hit a large stone by the roadside and overturned, causing massive casualties among the occupants. The vehicle belonged to Kings David Junior School in Ndejje, Makindye Division, Kampala.
Among the dead is the school’s director, identified as Ssekade Tadeo. Police have also confirmed that several pupils lost their lives in the crash. By Thursday night, authorities had recorded 21 fatalities, including one adult male, 14 male juveniles and six female juveniles. Some of the victims were identified as Amal, Draxler G, Kiyimba M, Mustwala Eyem, Nyang, Sunday, Ihanga, Ocholu and Joshua G, while 11 bodies had not yet been identified.
The accident also left 70 people injured, including three adult males and 67 juveniles. The injured were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment. Medical teams worked through the night to attend to survivors, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition.
Senior police officers, including the Sipi Regional Deputy Police Commander SSP Philbert Waibi, officers from the Criminal Investigations Directorate and traffic personnel from Kapchorwa and Kween districts, responded to the scene. Rescue teams helped evacuate victims while police documented evidence and coordinated emergency operations.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations. The wrecked bus remained at the scene by Thursday night awaiting towing to Kaserem Police Station for further inspection.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, especially among parents, relatives and the school community, as families anxiously await information about their loved ones. The accident is one of the deadliest involving school children in recent years and has once again raised concerns about road safety during school trips.
Police have launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash. Authorities say further details will be released as inquiries continue and the identities of all victims are confirmed.
