Uganda Crash: 20 Pupils Die in School Bus Tragedy, Trips Suspended

Sat Sep 12 2026 18:24:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tens of students and staff were hit by a catastrophic bus crash on Chekwatit Hill, killing 20 pupils. Uganda bans school field trips while investigators probe the accident.

A tragic bus crash in Kapchorwa district left 20 pupils and one adult dead, leaving dozens injured. The Ugandan government has halted all school field trips while authorities examine the incident, pointing to a possible mechanical fault and loss of control on a dangerous stretch of road.

Uganda Crash: 20 Pupils Die in School Bus Tragedy, Trips Suspended

A bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School met a fatal accident on Chekwatit Hill in Kapchorwa district last Thursday night, shattering into a field and leaving 20 students and one adult dead and dozens injured.

The incident unfolded around 20:00 local time when the driver lost control, the vehicle collided with a large roadside stone, and overturned. Initial reports hint at a mechanical fault that may have triggered the loss of control.

In response, Education Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo announced an immediate suspension of all school trips until investigations are complete, citing the safety of children as a priority.

Local traffic authorities described the crash in stark terms: the bus was on a precarious stretch of road that has seen several serious accidents in recent years. Speeding, poorly maintained vehicles and hazardous roads rank among the top causes of road deaths in Uganda.

Eyewitness footage shared on social media showed the wreckage and the frantic efforts of residents to assist injured students. The damaged bus, a dark rectangle against the green hills, is a grim reminder of the fragility of road safety on Ugandan roads.

The tragedy marks one of the deadliest incidents involving children in Uganda’s recent history, prompting a national conversation about school transportation safety and urgent reforms.