In brief
A school bus derailed on a dangerous stretch of road north of Kampala, killing twenty students and a teacher. Preliminary reports point to a mechanical failure that caused the driver to lose control. The crash highlights long‑standing concerns about vehicle maintenance and road conditions in Uganda.
The tragedy unfolded north of Kampala when a school bus carrying pupils from King David Junior School was hit on Chekwatit Hill, a notoriously treacherous stretch of road. Local police report twenty children and a teacher have died, with dozens more injured.
Early investigations suggest a mechanical fault may have contributed to the loss of vehicle control. The bus veered off the road, struck a large roadside stone and overturned.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over safety of school transport in the country, where road accidents regularly claim large numbers of lives.
Images shared by eyewitnesses show the wreckage and local residents rushing to aid the injured. The driver also survived the impact but remains under observation by authorities.
Uganda’s traffic authorities warn that speeding, poor vehicle maintenance and dangerous roads are leading causes of road deaths each year. The latest crash has reignited debates around stringent regulation of school buses.
