At Least 21 Killed In Tragic School Bus Crash In Eastern Uganda
News Updated: 17 July 2026 16:59 EAT
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At least 21 people, including 20 schoolchildren and one adult, were killed after a school bus carrying pupils on an educational trip crashed in Kapchorwa District in eastern Uganda on Thursday evening.
The bus, belonging to King David Junior School in Ndejje near Kampala, was transporting pupils and teachers back from a study tour to the Sipi Falls tourist attraction when the accident occurred at Chekwatit Hill in Kawowo Sub-county.
According to Uganda Police, preliminary investigations indicate the bus suffered a suspected mechanical failure while descending the steep hill. The driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, hit a large roadside rock and overturn.
Dozens of other passengers, including teachers and school staff, sustained injuries in the crash. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Kapchorwa and neighbouring districts, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Local residents and emergency responders worked together to rescue passengers trapped inside the wreckage before transporting the injured to nearby health facilities.
Authorities identified the adult victim as the founder and director of King David Junior School, who was travelling with the pupils during the educational trip.
The pupils had spent the day visiting Sipi Falls, one of Uganda's best-known tourist destinations on the slopes of Mount Elgon, before beginning the return journey to Kampala.
Police said investigators are examining the wreckage to establish the exact cause of the suspected mechanical failure and determine whether speeding, road conditions or other factors contributed to the crash.
Chekwatit Hill has previously been identified as a high-risk section of road due to its steep gradient and sharp bends, with several serious accidents having occurred there over the years.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over road safety in Uganda, where fatal road accidents remain common. Authorities have frequently cited speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, dangerous road conditions and human error as the leading causes of crashes.
Police said the process of identifying all the victims and notifying their families was ongoing, while the injured continued receiving treatment at various health facilities.
Ugandan authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash as the country mourns one of its deadliest school transport disasters in recent years.
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FELIX MAKONA
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