KAMPALA, Kenya – A school trip turned tragic in Uganda after a bus carrying pupils back to Kampala veered off the road and overturned, killing 20 children and one adult, police have confirmed.
The bus, belonging to King David Junior School, was transporting pupils home after a visit to the popular Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa District when the accident occurred.
According to preliminary police investigations, the driver lost control of the vehicle before it left the road, hit a large roadside rock and overturned.
“The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned,” Uganda Police said in a statement.
Authorities said the crash claimed the lives of 20 pupils and one adult male. Three other adult males and several children sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Police also released photographs showing the bus extensively damaged after the crash. Investigators have launched inquiries to establish the exact cause of the accident.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to Uganda’s road safety challenges. The country continues to record a high number of fatal crashes, particularly involving buses and heavy commercial vehicles travelling on major highways.
In October last year, at least 46 people died after two buses collided on one of Uganda’s busiest highways.
According to official road safety data released in 2024, Uganda recorded 4,434 fatal road crashes that resulted in 5,144 deaths, highlighting the persistent dangers on the country’s roads.