Uganda Suspends School Trips After Deadly Bus Crash
Education Updated: 18 July 2026 10:48 EAT
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Uganda has suspended all school trips, educational tours and excursions following Thursday's devastating bus crash in Kapchorwa District that claimed the lives of 20 students and one adult. The Ministry of Education and Sports announced the directive on Friday, saying the suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in force pending a review of school travel safety measures.
Education authorities said the decision was reached after the fatal accident involving a bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School in Kampala, who were returning from an educational excursion to the Sipi Falls tourism area in eastern Uganda. The ministry said the tragedy had exposed the need for stronger safeguards governing school travel.
Education and Sports Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo said the ministry will conduct a comprehensive review of existing regulations on school trips and excursions. The review will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministries of Works and Transport, Internal Affairs and other relevant agencies to strengthen learner safety.
According to preliminary police findings, the bus lost control while descending a steep section of road near Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa District. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a large rock and overturned, leaving dozens of passengers trapped inside.
Authorities confirmed that 20 pupils and one adult died in the crash. The adult was identified as the founder and director of King David Junior School, who was travelling with the learners during the educational trip.
Several other passengers, including school staff and students, sustained injuries. More than two dozen children were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition as medical teams continued emergency care.
Emergency response teams, local residents and the Uganda Red Cross Society worked through the night to rescue survivors from the wreckage. Injured pupils were transported to hospitals in ambulances and other available vehicles as rescue operations continued.
The Ministry of Education said all planned school trips, study tours and educational excursions have been suspended nationwide until further notice. Schools have been instructed to comply with the directive while the government reviews safety procedures.
Government officials said the review will assess transport standards, vehicle inspections, driver qualifications, emergency preparedness and compliance with existing regulations governing school travel. The findings are expected to inform new safety guidelines for educational institutions.
Road safety remains a major concern in Uganda, where fatal crashes are frequently linked to speeding, mechanical failures, dangerous road conditions and poor enforcement of traffic regulations. The latest tragedy has renewed calls for stricter oversight of school transport services.
The fatal crash comes just weeks after another major road accident in northern Uganda that claimed several lives, further highlighting concerns over the country's road safety record. Authorities say investigations into the Kapchorwa crash are continuing to establish the exact cause.
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FELIX MAKONA
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