In brief
After a suspected mechanical fault, a school bus from King David Junior School in eastern Uganda lost control on Chekwatit Hill and overturned, killing 20 students and the bus’s director. Dozens of passengers were injured and local residents rushed to help. The tragic incident is among Uganda’s deadliest road accidents involving children and has heightened concerns over school transport safety. Authorities say poorly maintained roads, speeding, and vehicle wear contribute to such dangers.
Tragic Bus Accident Claims 20 Lives
At least 20 children and the bus’s founder and director, Mr. Tadeo Ssekade, were killed when a school bus from King David Junior School on a field trip roared off the road on Chekwatit Hill in the Kapchorwa district, local police say.
Preliminary investigations point to a mechanical fault that caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which veered off the narrow road, struck a large stone and overturned near Chekwatit village around 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT).
Dozens of students and staff suffered injuries; emergency services rushed to the scene and local residents tried to help those injured.
The crash, which followed several previous serious incidents on the same stretch, is one of the deadliest road accidents involving children in recent Ugandan history.
Officials warned that the region’s poorly maintained roads, speeding and worn vehicles are major contributors to such deaths, raising renewed concerns over school transport safety.
Eyewitness videos showed the wrecked bus and the wreckage, with the sunset reflecting off damaged metal and shattered windows. The Ministry of Local Government posted the fatal figures on X, noting the loss of "20 children and 1 adult" on the tragic night.
Uganda records thousands of road deaths each year; the incident underscores the urgency for stricter safety regulations and better vehicle upkeep.
