Police have confirmed 21 people, including 20 pupils and one adult to have died following a road crash involving a bus belonging to King David Junior School in Kapchorwa District.
The fatal accident occurred on Thursday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, as the school bus was <a href="https://absafricatv.com/azam-fc-return-kipre-junior-targets-major-trophies/” title=”Azam FC return: Kipre Junior targets major trophies”>returning from an educational tour to the popular Sipi Falls.
According to Traffic and Road Safety Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, the crash involved an Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, belonging to King David Junior School in Ndejje, Makindye Division, Kampala.
“We wish to confirm that, following the fatal road traffic crash that occurred yesterday evening at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county, Kapchorwa District, a total of 21 people, comprising 20 pupils and one adult, have so far been confirmed dead,” Kananura said.
Police said the driver of the bus had not yet been identified at the time of issuing the statement.
Several survivors, whose identities had not yet been established, were rushed to Kaserem Health Centre IV, Kapchorwa General Hospital and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
According to police’s preliminary investigations, the pupils had travelled to Kapchorwa on an educational tour to Sipi Falls before the tragedy struck during the return journey.
“While returning from the tour, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone along the roadside, and overturned,” Kananura said.
Police said the crash claimed the lives of 20 pupils and one adult male, while three adult males and several juveniles sustained injuries.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kapchorwa Mortuary pending identification by relatives and postmortem examinations.
Kananura conveyed the force’s condolences to the families of the victims and the school community.
“The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the management of King David Junior School, and all those affected by this tragic incident. We also wish the injured a quick and full recovery,” he said.
The tragedy is among the deadliest road crashes involving schoolchildren in Uganda in recent years and has once again raised concerns over road safety and the transportation of learners during school trips.
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