At least 19 pupils of King David Junior School, Ndejje, are feared dead and more than 60 others injured following a road crash involving their school bus at Chekwatit Hill in Kowo sub-county, Kapchorwa district in eastern Uganda.
The pupils were returning from a study tour on Thursday when the bus, registration number UA 108BQ, reportedly developed a mechanical fault at around 2000hrs. The driver is said to have lost control before the vehicle crashed.
Chekwatit Hill is regarded as one of Uganda’s major road accident black spots, with a history of fatal crashes. Sipi Region Police spokesperson Fredmark Chesang confirmed the incident, saying preliminary investigations indicate that mechanical failure is the likely cause of the crash.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the bus lost control due to a mechanical fault. We have also established from eyewitness accounts that the vehicle made several stopovers before the accident. Investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash are ongoing,” Chesang said.
Police officers, residents and emergency responders rushed to the scene to rescue the victims, many of whom were trapped in the wreckage, before transporting them to nearby health facilities.
Chesang urged motorists, particularly operators of passenger service vehicles, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically roadworthy before undertaking long journeys, noting that Chekwatit Hill remains one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the Sebei sub-region.
The injured pupils were taken to Kapchorwa General Hospital and other nearby health facilities for emergency treatment. Kapchorwa district health officer Dr Siraji Masai said medical personnel and volunteers had been mobilised to respond to the influx of casualties.
“Our medical teams, together with volunteers, are attending to the injured pupils. Four of the critically injured victims have already been referred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for specialised management,” Masai said.
He added that health workers were working around the clock to stabilise the injured while authorities worked to identify those who died and notify their families.
Kapchorwa RDC Stanley Bayole commended residents for their swift response, saying the community played a vital role in the rescue operation.
“The response from the community has been overwhelming. People brought bedding, offered transport and joined rescue efforts without hesitation. This is a strong sign of humanity and solidarity during a very difficult moment,” Bayole said.
Security personnel remained at the crash scene as investigations continued. By press time, authorities had not released the identities of the deceased pending notification of their next of kin.
The crash is among the deadliest road accidents involving schoolchildren in the Sebei sub-region in recent years. It also adds to a series of fatal road crashes reported across the country in recent days.
Police said a comprehensive report would be released after investigations are completed and all victims have been accounted for.
