Death toll from Uganda school bus crash rises to 24
News Source
β’Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:07:39 +0000
π° What Happened
Three more schoolchildren died from injuries after a school bus crash in eastern Uganda, bringing the death toll to 23 children and one adult. The bus was carrying students and teachers from King David Junior School in Kampala back from a trip to Sipi Falls. The driver lost control at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, overturning the bus and hitting a large stone.
The adult killed is believed to be the school's founder and head. Six of the dead have not yet been identified. Dozens more children were injured, with 23 still being treated in Kapchorwa General Hospital. Three other vehicles on the same trip made it home safely.
π The Backstory
Uganda has one of the worst road safety records in the world. Crashes are often blamed on poorly maintained vehicles, bad roads, and speeding. Earlier this month, 14 people died in another bus crash on the same highway. The country's buses are often old and overloaded, and traffic laws are weakly enforced.
The Uganda Ministry of Education has now ordered a nationwide halt to all school trips. Police said they will provide escorts to safely return students to their schools. The government has promised a full investigation, but many Ugandans say this is not enough and that tougher road safety laws are needed.
π― Why It Matters
This crash killed two dozen children on a school trip. It shows how dangerous roads in many developing countries remain, and how weak safety rules cost young lives.
Three more schoolchildren died from injuries after a school bus crash in eastern Uganda, bringing the death toll to 23 children and one adult. The bus was carrying students and teachers from King David Junior School in Kampala back from a trip to Sipi Falls. The driver lost control at Chekwatit village in Kapchorwa district, overturning the bus and hitting a large stone.
The adult killed is believed to be the school's founder and head. Six of the dead have not yet been identified. Dozens more children were injured, with 23 still being treated in Kapchorwa General Hospital. Three other vehicles on the same trip made it home safely.
Uganda has one of the worst road safety records in the world. Crashes are often blamed on poorly maintained vehicles, bad roads, and speeding. Earlier this month, 14 people died in another bus crash on the same highway. The country's buses are often old and overloaded, and traffic laws are weakly enforced.
The Uganda Ministry of Education has now ordered a nationwide halt to all school trips. Police said they will provide escorts to safely return students to their schools. The government has promised a full investigation, but many Ugandans say this is not enough and that tougher road safety laws are needed.
This crash killed two dozen children on a school trip. It shows how dangerous roads in many developing countries remain, and how weak safety rules cost young lives.